Taoiseach launches Bord na Móna exhibition

Taoiseach Brian Cowen launched an exhibition celebrating Bord na Móna's 75th anniversary in Tullamore last Monday. 'Heartland' is the centrepiece of the programme marking this important anniversary and it is very fitting that it is being brought to the communities in Bord na Móna's traditional hinterland. With links to Offaly dating back to the 1850s, 'Heartland' provides a fascinating insight into one of Ireland's largest industrial operations. "It is, in itself, a tribute to the pioneering spirit, ingenuity and energy of the people behind a great national endeavour," said Brian Cowen. "Apart from the foundation of the peat industry in Ireland and a very clever module dealing with the future, the exhibition covers innovation, work, culture, community and environment. It gives a very good flavour of what it was like to work the bogs, from the backbreaking days of the slean to the mechanisation of the 1950s." Although early attempts at the industrialisation of peat winning and processing in Offaly were made in Turraun as far back as 1850, it was not until the establishment of the Turf Development Board in 1934 that the breakthrough finally came. Driven by the energy and zeal of Todd Andrews, the original Bord na Móna took over Turraun and also set up operations at Clonsast Bog, in the east of the county. Today, Bord na Móna employs 420 people in Offaly on a full-time basis in a variety of commercial activities and a further 250 seasonal workers to help harvest the peat. "Bord na Móna is today stronger than ever, after 75 years of surmounting its share of difficulties - not just surviving but thriving," added the Taoiseach. "I have no doubt that the 'can do' spirit which has been the hallmark of Bord na Móna will be a great source of strength in the years ahead and I would like to take the opportunity to wish the company and everybody associated with it every success for the future." It supplies the West Offaly and Edenderry power stations and as the factory at Derrinlough continues to manufacture 130,000 tonnes of briquettes annually for the domestic heating market, the company is also exploring the possibility of community heating in Ferbane. Its resource-recovery subsidiary AES operates a waste collection and recovery facility based in Tullamore. Its energy business has recently applied for planning permission to build an 80 megawatt wind-farm between Daingean and Walsh Island and a 600 megawatt gas-fired power plant at Derrygreenagh near Rhode. BnM has played its part in the conservation of All Saints Bog, Clara Bog, Mongan and Raheenmore Bog. It has shown commendable leadership in the establishment of the wonderful Lough Boora Parklands. The company's 'New Contract with Nature' is far-seeing and addresses a range of challenges in addition to rehabilitation of our bogs.