Lemanaghan Bog stories to feature at National Library event for Peatlands Day

Lemanaghan Bog will be part of a national celebration of the stories and spirit of Ireland’s boglands this weekend as Séamus Corcoran, Chairman of the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage & Conservation Group, takes part in a special panel event hosted by the National Library of Ireland in Dublin.

Taking place on Saturday (July 26) — the eve of Peatlands Day, the event is titled “Bogland: Between the Sights of the Sun”, and draws its name and inspiration from the poetry of Seamus Heaney, whose deep connection to the Irish bog landscape resonates throughout his work.

The event is part of the Tóchar Stories project, which explores storytelling, culture, and creativity rooted in peatland communities. The session will highlight how bogs are not only ecological treasures but also cultural landscapes — shaped by memory, myth, music, and meaning.

Séamus Corcoran will bring the voice of Lemanaghan Bog to the panel, sharing insights into the area’s rich history, folklore, and community-led conservation work. His contribution will sit alongside a fascinating mix of artists and storytellers:

Jane Clarke, poet (Roscommon), whose writing often centres on nature and memory

Shane Hynan, visual artist and photographer of bog landscapes

Michael Long, Cabragh Wetlands, with reflections on the land and the Cosmic Walk

Ann Cleare, contemporary composer (Birr), exploring soundscapes of bogs like Lough Boora

The event is now fully booked, and the inclusion of Lemanaghan on this platform is a major recognition of the ongoing work by the the Heritage Group in Lemanaghan and the entire community who preserve and celebrate the heritage of our bog.

The event will be held in the Seamus Heaney Exhibition Space at College Green, across from Trinity College, and will include a guided tour of the Heaney exhibition immediately afterwards.