Killaun Bog Conservation Project
The Great Killaun Project aims to see the wider Killaun bog conserved and managed in the longer term as a place where people experience an area of, sometimes almost untouched, significant biodiversity. Killaun bog is located directly east of Birr Town and occupies an area of some five to six hundred hectares, extending into some 14 townlands. While much of the bog has been exploited by Bord na Móna over the last generation, a reserve of almost untouched bog lies to the southwest of Killaun which is owned by Birr Community School. The rest of the bog is owned by Bord na Móna, Coillte and the Oxmantown Settlement Trust. The Killuan project, driven by Birr 20|20 and renowned local ecologist John Feehan, is now pushing to see this bog secured as ‘Birr’s own rainforest’, one this is accessible to the public as a site of outstand natural significance and exceptional educational importance.
The Project to Date
In 2025 Birr 20|20 received timely and crucial support from Tóchar, the Midlands Wetland Restoration Project, who are implementing an EU Just Transition Programme in Ireland, that aims to restore degraded wetlands, in the context of a just transition and move towards carbon neutrality. Tóchar are funding Phase 1 of the project, which will see the creation of two c. 5km looped walks, together with associated required parking, signage etc at the site. Phase 2, will involve the cooperation of Bord na Móna, but will hopefully see the replanting of native Scots Pine across a large area of cut-away bog.
The Irish Heritage School, as well as helping drive the project at community level, are supporting this project in two key ways. Through our service programs and days we will help maintain the trails when they are installed. Subject to the cooperation of Bord na Móna we will also assist with the replanting scheme, to help offset our own carbon footprint in welcoming international visitors. Whilst work is at an early stage this project will hopefully develop as simultaneously our largest ever Service and Environmental project.
