"You've given a gift to Clara": New soundwalk launched at Clara bog
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A new soundwalk has been launched at Clara Bog Walk on Friday, February 27, created by students at Ard Scoil Chiarán Naofa.
A group of TY and second year music students from Ard Scoil Chiarán Naofa collaborated with composer Fiona Linnane to create a geo-located soundwalk for the Clara Bog Boardwalk in October and November 2025.
Inspired by the wildlife and natural environment of Clara Bog, the students composed short poems (haikus) and musical pieces. These works were developed into a geo-located sound map, accessible by scanning a QR code at the entrance to the boardwalk.
As visitors walk along the boardwalk, they can listen to the compositions and experience a deeper connection with the surrounding landscape.
Second year music students involved in the project included Barbara Adriano, Grace Barrett, Oisin Buckley, Kayleigh Dolan, Kayla Fitzpatrick, Nathan Kelly, Erin Leijen, Hannah Lowry, Ruth Lowry, Lily Minnock, Sarah Moore, Inna Nahoma, Amy Rabbitte, and Clodagh Russell.
Transition Year students Emma Bracken, Conor Byrne, Eoghan Cushen, Ryan Flanagan, Millie Fleming, Ryan Fleming, Pelagaya Guilfoyle, Edwina Hiney, Joshua Malone, Evan Redmond, and Leah Weldon were also took part.
Speaking at the launch of the project, music teacher Katie Scully said the experience was "just fantastic" for the students.
"It was brilliant. The students got out of the classroom into a different environment with different inspirations. To be working with Fiona who is just so creative, it really is incredible," she said.
"For the second years who did their composition CBA in December, it really linked in perfectly, as they had already created a group composition through this project."
The project saw one of Offaly's most unique landscapes being "treated as a collaborator, not just a place you can go".
Composer Fiona Linnane said it was important for her to come to a different environment because it led to "very different work".
"You've created something, and you've given it as a gift to Clara," Ms Linnane said, speaking to the students directly. "This bog walk will still be here long after you leave school, and people will be able to come and visit your work."
Linda Tynan, Director of Schools for the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), said she was proud of the "confidence, resilience, and creativity" shown by the students through the project.
"I think a lot of people will be very inspired to see what you've done. This is a vibrant expression of local partnership and action in supporting our young people."
Thanks have been extended to Clemency Magan, Education Officer at Clara Bog Visitor Centre, National Parks and Wildlife Service, all the students and staff of Ard Scoil Chiarán Naofa, in particular to Katie Scully, music teacher, and to composer Fiona Linnane.
Clara Bog Soundwalk is kindly funded by Offaly County Council under the Youth Arts Commission 2025.