How the bogs were born

The Midland bogs of Ireland began to form about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age.

Read about the bog warriors!

The retreating ice carved out a huge poorly drained basin in the central Midlands which soon filled up with water, creating stagnant lakes. These in turn became overgrown with vegetation and over thousands of years became deep bog deposits.

The highland blanket bogs formed much later about 4,000 years ago. This bog began to grow as a result of climate change and early Irish farmers who cut down upland forests. The weather became much wetter (if you can imagine that!), and much milder. Vital minerals were washed out of the topsoil and formed a tough iron underground layer. The soil in turn became waterlogged and bog began to grow to an average depth of two to three metres.

It was not long before our ancestors realised that this peat or turf could be harvested as a source of fuel for cooking and heat when dried under the sun and was easily cut with a wooden and later iron spade. By using only what each family needed, and returning the top sods to the bog, new bog often grew back in time.

It is true that the Midland and Highland Bogman share many noble and perhaps less noble personality traits but there are some basic differences you can watch out for.

By: Keith Corcoran