Allen, Bog of

Allen, Bog of, area of several peat bogs c.375 sq mi (971 sq km), with patches of cultivable land, in the central lowlands, E Republic of Ireland. The bog is crossed by the Grand and Royal canals. It is a source of fuel and contains peat-fired electrical generating stations.

The Bog of Allen (Móin Alúine in Irish) is a large peat bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council describes the bog as "an important area of peatland, as much a part of Irish natural heritage as the Book of Kells." The bog, however, is in danger now after centuries of agricultural exploitation and recent encroachments by development. Efforts are underway to save the bog and preserve its fragile ecological state. The bog's 958 square kilometers (370 square miles) stretch into County Offaly, County Meath, County Kildare, County Laois, and County Westmeath. Peat is mechanically harvested on a large scale by Bórd na Móna, the government-owned peat production industry. The area has miles of narrow gauge industrial railways for transporting turf to processing plants and turf powered power plants. In addition, the cutover portions are used as area for grazing. The bog is crossed by the Grand Canal and the Royal canal (this section of the Royal is no longer used).

See also

• Geography of Ireland
• Hill of Allen

External links

• Irish Peatland Conservation Council