The LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature aims to support farmers via a Results-Based Payment Scheme rewarding landowners with high ecological quality habitats whilst incentivising and supporting the improvement of poorer quality habitats. In order to facilitate improvement in ecological quality of the land, it is necessary to implement restoration actions. These may include the control of invasives, drain management, etc.

LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature are developing a landowner and community training project to implement habitat restoration actions in and adjacent to three SACs in counties Mayo and Galway. It builds on a successful preliminary project based in the Bundorragha catchment in Co. Mayo in 2022. Although the primary focus will be rhododendron control, a training module for further peatland restoration methods will also be developed.

The first field trip will be to the Bundorragha Catchment Rhododendron Control Project. This project is conceived, driven by local farmers with the assistance of the local community group, to fund farmers to remove Rhododendron from the Bundorragha river catchment in Co. Mayo. Local farmer Martin Gavin and Conor Ryan Project Ecologist will cover the Rhododendron control measures and project learnings. Transport to and from the project site will be provided with complimentary lunch included. This initiative is supported by the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP & The Local Authority Waters Programme.

TIMETABLE

10:00: Leave from Casla industrial estate entrance (Mylar) https://maps.app.goo.gl/yfhMRzkfogKWMyEy6

11.00: Meet at Killary Adventure Centre. View and discuss/compare variety of stem treated, stump treated and machine cleared sites. View practical demonstration of stem and stump treatment techniques, including use of PPE equipment, chainsaws/hatchets and herbicide applicators.

12 - 12.45: Lunch in Leenane - Hamilton's Pub

12.45 - 13.00: Depart Leenane and travel to Delphi Valley (Bundorragha Catchment).

13.00: View variety of stem and stump treatment sites in sensitive peatland and near-riparian areas in Delphi Valley.

14.15: Travel back to Casla

Thousands of years of dead matter combine with an aliveness that makes the bog a potent place. Place has many meanings but in this context relates to the thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination that come to light when the senses are engaged and the human body can take in its surroundings. The artists had long conversations with each contributor on the bog, gathering thoughts, feelings and memories. It is from this process that the artist's imaginations were inspired to create the photographs.

It was evident from the conversations that were gathered that the bog has a central role in people's memories. There was a particular culture that related to the bog, with community, work, sharing of food and household economics interwoven into a specific ecosystem. In envisaging a new ecosystem for the bog new and old traits need to dialogue. Traits that relate to romanticism, surrealism, darkness and physical labour amongst others.

The Gabháil Mhóna (armful of turf) exhibition does not set out to directly answer the questions "what do you imagine for the bog?" but endeavours to inspire reflection, open imagination and keep the conversation about the future of the bog going.

Siobhán is a dancer and choreographer who spent time on the bog in Co. Cork in her youth. Dervla is a photographer and film-maker based in Cork. These two artists have worked together extensively since 2018 seeking to present dance, the body, place and landscape in a variety of ways.