Clara Bog visitor centre will reopen ‘in coming weeks’

Deirdre Verney

Published: Wed 26 Jul 2023, 5:47 PM

Last updated: Wed 26 Jul 2023, 5:52 PM

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said it is “looking forward to reopening” the Clara Bog visitor centre once new guide appointments have been finalised.

And Minister of State Pippa Hackett has said the opening would happen “in the coming weeks”.

The facility, located on the Ballycumber Road, has been closed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the Clara Bog nature reserve boardwalk remains open to the public, the visitor facility has been closed to visitors so far this summer season.

In a recent statement, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage said they just recently held interviews for the positions of head guide and education/visitor guides for Clara Bog visitor centre. “Offers are currently being made from the respective panels. NPWS is looking forward to reopening the visitor centre to the public once appointments have been finalised.”

Minister Hackett said: “Once new staff are in place, and the NPWS are satisfied the building and facilities are ready to receive visitors again, the centre will open doors to the public.”

“The NPWS has asked for continued forbearance for another short while and I’m sure that won’t be a problem as this good news is received in the community.”

A message on the Clara Bog Nature Reserve website has confirmed that the Clara Bog visitor centre remains closed. However, the one kilometre looped boardwalk on the Clara to Rahan Road is accessible at all times. The walk is maintained by the NPWS for the public to enjoy safely.

First opened in 2010, the award-winning visitor centre, which is co-located with Clara Library, offers a fascinating insight into what is one of the best remaining examples of a relatively intact raised bog in Western Europe.

The Clara/Rahan Road dissects the bog and nature reserve which is home to many protected wildlife species resulting in an east-side and west-side. The timber boardwalk is on the west-side and is a 1 km looped walk with information boards erected at four points.