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A Boggy Tale
23rd November 2015
When we talk about history we sometimes neglect the most important facet
of the entire subject - natural history. That is to say the flora and
fauna that surrounds us. The trees , the rivers , the vegetation , the
rock formations , etc. One aspect of this fascinating but often
overlooked topic is the question of bogs. Togher up to relatively
recently was a vast wetland where many bogs , both raised and blanket
co-existed. The vast majority have now been drained and infilled while
an immense portion of Lehenaghmore was completely eradicated to
construct the Airport. Bogs can tell us so much about our ancient
ancestors and their living habits and the environment they dwelled in.
Clashduv Park up to the 1970s was a raised bog - in that it was formally
a shallow lake , created roughly 10,000 years ago. Lehenaghmore was a
blanket bog , where ancient overfarming lead to the depletion of
minerals in the soil. It also confirms that our ancestors lived on high
ground up above the wooded wetlands below. A small portion still exists
near Corcorans Bridge. Also of interest is the Lehenagh Ridge to the
back of the Airport off the road. Look around you and natural history comes alive , albeit a shadow of its former self.
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