Exploring Bog Farming: The Role of Irish Peat in Agriculture

Bog Farming: The Mystique of Irish Peat and Its Agricultural Impact

Ireland’s bogs are both a natural marvel and a cultural treasure, stretching like patches of velvety brown over the island’s famously green landscape. For centuries, these bogs have been more than just a mysterious part of the Irish countryside; they’ve provided a critical resource—peat. Often called "turf" in Ireland, peat is a natural fuel source formed over thousands of years as plant material slowly decays in waterlogged bogs. While peat cutting, or "turf cutting," has warmed homes and fueled kitchens for generations, the practice of bog farming has complex implications for agriculture, the environment, and Irish heritage.

Peat Cutting: A Tradition Rooted in Survival

Peat harvesting has been a part of Irish life since at least the medieval period when forests were in short supply, and people needed an alternative source of fuel. Bogs became a lifeline, particularly in rural areas where wood was scarce, and communities relied on these carbon-rich patches to stay warm and cook food. Peat was cut from the bogs by hand in long bricks, known as "sods," which were then left to dry in the sun before being used as fuel. This process was labor-intensive and required a knowledge of bog structure, soil, and drying techniques—skills passed down through generations.

To this day, the tradition of cutting and drying turf is maintained, though it is increasingly symbolic rather than essential in most parts of Ireland. Peatlands make up around 17% of Ireland’s total land area, covering about 1.2 million hectares. For many rural communities, turf-cutting is about more than survival; it’s about maintaining a connection to the land and honoring the customs of ancestors. Bogs have, in this way, cultivated not only turf but also a profound cultural bond.

Peat and Agriculture: A Complex Relationship

Beyond fuel, peat has also had a more indirect impact on Irish farming. Bogs make up a substantial part of Ireland’s landscape, and while not directly farmed in the traditional sense, they play an essential role in the island’s agricultural ecosystem. Farmers have long used peatland as grazing areas for sheep and cattle, whose hooves are gentler on the soft bog ground compared to plowed fields. The bogs’ natural nutrients help enrich surrounding soils, and their water-holding capacity reduces flooding risks, providing a buffer that helps protect arable lands from excessive moisture.

In recent years, peat has also been used in horticulture and gardening, as its high carbon content provides a nutrient-dense medium for plants. However, this practice is controversial, as it requires digging up peat in ways that harm the delicate ecosystems bogs support. Ireland’s bogs store an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon, so peat extraction not only affects local biodiversity but also contributes to carbon emissions, impacting climate change.

Environmental Concerns: The Carbon Dilemma

For all their benefits, bogs are also some of the most sensitive ecosystems in Ireland, playing a vital role in the fight against climate change. Peatlands cover just 3% of the earth’s land surface but store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. In Ireland, when peat is cut and burned, it releases stored carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Drained bogs can emit as much as 15 to 20 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year, while restored bogs have the potential to revert to being carbon sinks over time.

As Ireland faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, the environmental impact of peat cutting has come under scrutiny. Many of the country's peat bogs are now protected, and strict regulations have been placed on turf-cutting activities, leading to tensions between environmental groups and traditional turf cutters who feel that their way of life is under threat. Programs like the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, launched in 2020, allocated €108 million to re-wet and restore over 33,000 hectares of drained peatlands. This initiative aims to prevent further emissions and reinstate these areas as carbon sinks, potentially reducing emissions by 3.3 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next decade.

Bogs and Heritage: More Than Meets the Eye

Beyond their environmental and agricultural value, Irish bogs are remarkable for the glimpses they offer into the past. Because of their unique properties, bogs act as natural preservation chambers. Artifacts, tools, and even human bodies have been recovered in pristine condition from the bogs, preserved for thousands of years by the anaerobic conditions within the peat. These findings have given archaeologists and historians invaluable insights into ancient Irish life, from the Bronze Age to the medieval period. Some of the most fascinating discoveries include the Bog Bodies, human remains preserved by the bog’s acidic environment, offering insights into ancient customs, rituals, and even diet.

Irish bogs also serve as biodiversity hotspots, home to rare species such as the curlew, an iconic Irish bird with a distinctively curved beak. The curlew population has declined by over 90% since the 1980s due to habitat loss, including the draining and cutting of bogs. Other unique species, like the bog rosemary plant, the Irish hare, and specialised insects like bog-dwelling butterflies, depend on these ecosystems to survive.

The Future of Bog Farming: Balancing Tradition and Sustainability

The future of bog farming in Ireland lies in a delicate balance between honoring traditional practices and addressing environmental responsibilities. Bord na Móna, the state-owned company historically responsible for peat extraction, has shifted toward renewable energy projects and peatland rehabilitation. In 2020, they announced they would cease peat harvesting for power generation, reducing Ireland’s annual CO₂ emissions by about 1.5 million tonnes. Programs for peat-free alternatives in horticulture are also gaining popularity, though they come with their own challenges. Options like coconut coir, composted bark, and recycled green waste are being explored to reduce dependency on peat-based compost.

Programs that aim to restore bogs, promote sustainable tourism, and reframe the role of bogs in modern Irish life are encouraging ways forward. Some Irish farmers are even adapting by creating eco-tourism ventures focused on the bogs, offering visitors a chance to learn about peatland ecosystems, try their hand at traditional turf cutting, and appreciate the bogs’ beauty and biodiversity up close.

Conclusion: The Enduring Mystique of the Irish Bogs

Ireland’s bogs are more than just landscapes; they are woven into the cultural, environmental, and agricultural fabric of the country. Peat cutting has provided warmth and sustenance, supported ecosystems, and preserved a wealth of history. Today, bogs remain a mystical presence in the Irish countryside, holding stories of a way of life shaped by the land itself. While the future of bog farming may look different, Ireland’s bogs will continue to enchant, offering both a physical and cultural link to the island’s storied past.

In Ireland’s bogs, we find the resilience of tradition, the challenges of sustainability, and a reminder of the deep connections between people and the land. The work to protect and restore these lands is an endeavor not just for Ireland but for a world in need of natural solutions to climate and biodiversity crises.

*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.