Roseberry Bog lies just 3 kilometers to the north of the town, and is a wonderful natural wildlife resource on our doorstep. The bog is a wetland which took over 10,000 years to develop, however much of our bog lands are now under threat due to drainage, peat extraction, and encroachment by development and housing.

Roseberry Bog is a refuge for wildlife, with significant habitats and a wide variety of plant and animal species. It comprises of heat land, raised bogland, wooded areas and there are areas where the peat is still being harvested. There are a variety of butterflies, heathers, bog cotton and other wildlife such as herons, frogs, and if you are lucky you might spot a fox out hunting in the undergrowth.

Bogs in general formed as dead plants began to decay, falling into small lakes and slowly filling the water area. Over a period of 10,000 years of relatively undisturbed activity, the peat lands developed as sphagnum moss changed what was a fen to bog land as we know it today. Unlike Roseberry Bog - Pollardstown Fen remained a fen because the fresh alkaline waters of the Curragh prevented the growth of bog mosses.

As the bog is exploited, the remains of previous generations are occasionally exposed, and items found on bogs include bog butter, wooden tools etc. Up to relatively recently much of the turf being extracted from our bogs was cut by a sleán, “footed” to allow it to dry and brought home for burning in household fireplaces. This method of extraction resulted in a slow exploitation of the Peatland. However more modern mechanical extraction methods have significantly increased the quantity of pear extraction, which may be having a detrimental effect on what remains of our bog land.

If going for a walk on the bog, ensure that you wear suitable footwear (it can be wet underfoot), and remember to leave it as you found it. Be extremely careful not to cause a fire on the bog, as fires are extremely difficult to control, and do enormous damage to the wildlife on our bogs.

The following information was kindly provided by Irish Peatland Conservation Council, relating to what we know as Roseberry Bog. The information was collected during a Bog of Allen Habitat and Heritage Survey conducted by IPCC.

Name: Mouds Bog
Bog of Allen Site Code: BOA 40
Designations: NHA, SAC
NHA number: 000395
County: Kildare
Grid reference: N 794 187
Area: 550ha

This site is located about 3 km north-west of Newbridge and under the Hill of Allen. It is a remnant of the southern lobe of the Bog of Mouds - most of the northern lobe has been industrially developed. The north and south lobes are now separated by the road between Allen Cross Roads and Jigginstown.

Mouds bog is probably the most important raised bog in County Kildare and is an important example of the flora and fauna that was typical of the Great Bog of Allen. The site is actively laying down peat and is of international conservation importance as an example of an active raised bog habitat.

Geographically, Mouds bog is located in the drier half of Ireland in the east midlands. Not surprisingly, extensive areas of pools are absent from the bog surface due to the relatively low rainfall levels in this part of the country. The present day surface is domed in profile and probably is supported by a mound of peat as much as 12m deep. Standing on the bog is like being at sea, as the vegetation on the hummocks and hollows seems to stretch into the distance. There is a line of pools (a soak system) near the southern edge. A marginal ridge in the centre of the bog is unusual.

The vegetation is typical of raised bogs with Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Bog Cotton (Eriophorum vaginatum and E. angustifolium), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Deer Sedge (Scirpus cespitosus) and Bog Mosses (Sphagnum papillosum, S. palustre, S. capillifolium, S. cuspidatum and S. magellanicum). Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) and Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) and Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) have been recorded. Other species found which are not normally associated with raised bog surfaces are Rushes (Juncus effusus), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), and Birch trees (Betula pubescens).

The lichen flora of the bog is well developed with as many as 10 different species of Cladonia which include bearded lichen, antler horn lichen, cup lichen and matchstick lichen.

Birds which have been recorded from the bog include Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Curlew, Kestrel and Red Grouse.

The high bog of Mouds is surrounded by an extensive area of low bog or cutover. This is the result of centuries of hand turf cutting especially along the southern margin of the bog, in the south-west corner and in the centre of the northern edge. Parts of the western area of the bog have been prepared for peat moss production. Some small areas have been reclaimed for agriculture in recent years.

The invasion of Canadian Pitcher-Plants (Sarracenia purpurea) into a surface depression on Mouds Bog is a serious concern. This exotic plant is very aggressive and is growing well on the southern section of Mouds Bog. It colonises from seeds and needs to be removed before it destroys the conservation value of the bog.

Source:
Bog of Allen Habitat and Heritage Survey 2005.
Published by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.

For further details about the Bog of Allen:
Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
Web:www.ipcc.ie
Email: Irish Peatland Conservation Council