Sunday 18 January 2026

Glorious Winter Sun and Carlow Cheese Energises Our First Drummin Bog Project Invasive Species Eradication Work Party for 2026!!

What a way to celebrate this beautiful Winter-time by coming together for our January Drummin Bog Volunteer Morning!!

We were bowled over that over 20 people turned up on such a cold day. People came with loppers, saws, machetes and much enthusiasm to spend a couple of hours cutting back invasive species on Drummin Bog.

On our regular Drummin Bog Volunteer Mornings, we spend a couple of hours working, lopping and chopping, and chatting as we work. Such a great way to finish a stressful week. You can work in an area by yourself or with others, although we give a safety talk first, as there are deep drains on the site.

There is such peace on a bog… voices drift over occasionally, and time flies. In fact, you can’t feel the cold when working collectively, like this, in such a stunningly beautiful area. Being with others, doing something so valuable, is inspiring.

What makes our Drummin Bog Volunteer Day mornings particularly special is that we end up having “tea on the bog”.

Enjoying Tea and Carlow Cheeses on the Bog

Generally, we suggest people bring flasks of hot coffee, tea, sandwiches and biscuits. However, all who attended today were in for a treat as well-known ‘Carlow Cheesemonger’, Cormac Larkin, brought a fine selection of local Carlow cheeses and crackers.

It was hard to know what was best… cheese paired with pears or passion-fruit, or the fine, strong blue cheese. Thank you so much, Cormac! We are not sure if word had got out that you and the cheeses were coming – we so enjoyed it all, the craic and the good company.

And, we are sure more people will be coming when the word gets out. Particularly, as Cormac, living in the area, has very generously promised to provide cheeses for all future volunteer days as a contribution to the Carlow Drummin Bog Project!! 🙂


Some photos below – do click on the images to watch as a slideshow:

What a fine group we are! [Photos: Cathy Fitzgerald and Jules Michael]

We also welcome James Lalor to the Drummin Bog Committee

James has long been a Friend of Drummin Bog and has set up and maintained ongoing hydrogeological monitoring over many years. He is constantly noting how Drummin Bog is still not as wet as it should be, how and where water flows, especially after heavy rains.

It is truly fascinating to think of these undercurrents that are so vital to how Drummin Bog thrives and regulates water flow in the area. This water helps Drummin bog grow, which in turn makes Drummin bog a valuable natural heritage site for wildlife, flora and fauna.

Watch below as James gave an impromptu chat on how water underneath Drummin bog, at different levels, has been constantly monitored since 2020. Thanks a million, James!

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The Drummin Bog Project has a program to remove invasive species from Drummin Bog

We need volunteers to help us cut rhododendron, tackle birch regrowth and gorse.

Our Next Volunteer Day is
Sunday, 15th February 2026—Do Join Us!

Wear coats, bring your coffee and tea, and come prepared to get to know your Carlow cheeses
and Lil’ Drummin Bog, the very special last remnant of a raised bog in Carlow.

For further info, if interested in joining us, being part of our committee, please email:

drumminbog@gmail.com

Or contact, 085 6550165

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The Drummin Bog Project acknowledges the kind support of LAWPRO, who have helped us purchase loppers, work gloves, a first aid kit and high-vis jackets.

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PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Drummin Bog is limited due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and its status as a wildlife reserve. Great precaution must be taken in visiting the bog due to its unmarked deep drains, and other hazards. It is therefore recommended people do not walk on the bog alone. Children must always be supervised and no dogs please as efforts are in place to encourage birds to return. Thank you for understanding. In time, a woodland walkway is envisaged. The Drummin Bog Project is in its very early stages.