Bog Bothy to be unveiled in Clara later this month

A unique bog shelter is set to be unveiled in Clara later this month as part of the Bog Trotters Festival.

The shelter, called a bog bothy, is a purpose-built shelter and gathering space for deep engagement with the bog that builds on the design language of Ireland’s peatlands.

It was co-created by communities in Offaly, Louth and Meath and designed by architects Evelyn D’Arcy and David Jameson of 12th Field, who will join with the Irish Architecture Foundation to present the bog bothy in Clara.

The project, which has taken over two years of development, is part of a collection of new work, built outcomes and ambitious proposals designed to create a new peatlands architecture.

The Bog Trotters Festival takes place in Clara from June 20 to 22 and, in addition to the unveiling of the bog bothy, there will also be an exhibition of photographs and drawings, work by a resident artist, and a public programme of national and local conversations on the evolving relationship with Ireland’s peatlands through the lens of architecture and placemaking.

Admission to the exhibition is free, but booking is essential. For tickets visit: Bog Bothy Programme Schedule.

What to expect:

Bothy: A purpose-built shelter and gathering space for deep engagement with the bog that builds on the design language of Ireland’s peatlands.

Events Programme: Peatlands panel talks, walks, workshops, and performances across climate action, architecture, and future heritage.

Exhibition: A curated exploration of labour, trace, and climate in the boglands - exploring the bog as both a historical archive and a future landscape, including photographs by Shane Hynan.

Artist in Residence: Creative practitioner embedded in the landscape to create new work that responds to the peatlands and its people, and the Bog Bothy project through deep engagement.