History of the IPCC

Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) 1982-2022 – a 40 Year History

A 40 year history of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and a timeline of actions that have saved the Bogs of Ireland. IPCC’s former Chief Executive – Dr Catherine O’Connell and current Chief Executive – Ms. Nuala Madigan reflect on the highlights.

In the Beginning

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council began in 1982 as the National Peatland Conservation Committee. This Committee was set up following a debate on the future of Irish bogs organised by An Taisce and held in University College Dublin. This organisation led by Prof Gerry Doyle later became the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC). For three years the NPCC voluntary committee worked hard to develop the first inventory of peatland sites in Ireland and an Action Plan for their conservation. They also proposed a management structure for a campaigning organisation which they felt was needed to be a voice for Irish bogs. In 1985 the NPCC resigned and the IPCC was formed under the leadership of Dr Neil Lockhart. The Committee of the IPCC began to engage in lobbying, education, fundraising and purchasing sites with Dutch funding. The “friends of the bog” supporters fundraising scheme was launched and the first issue of Peatland News was published. By August 1986, Dr Lockhart had established IPCC as a charitable organisation and a company limited by guarantee. The signatories to the Memoranda and Articles of Association were: Dr Neil Lockhart, Prof. William Watts, Prof Frank Mitchell, Dr Reg Parker, Mr William Finlay S.C., Prof Frank Convery, Prof Palmer Newbould.

Serving the Public

Dr Peter Foss took up the role of Chairman of the IPCC late in 1986 and under his leadership, the IPCC grew into an independently funded and thriving conservation organisation which has made its mark in the nature conservation history books of Ireland. The first member of staff of the organisation was employed in 1988 as Information Officer and worked from an office in Pearse Street rented from Trinity College Dublin. By 1990 both Dr Foss and Dr Catherine O’Connell were full time employees of the IPCC (the latter as Education Officer). Our growth necessitated renting bigger offices first in Lower Mount Street and then in Capel Street. Under the leadership of Dr Foss, the organisation’s supporters increased to the thousands and its staff increased to four (Oscar Duggan in the role of Customer Care and Patrick Crushell (and later Noreen McLoughlin) as Conservation Officer). In this time four peatlands were purchased, four Peatland Conservation Plans were published, a peatland education programme was established and the Irish Government designated 250,000ha of peatlands as Special Areas of Conservation.

To mark the 20 year anniversary of the IPCC, it was highly appropriate for the organisation to publish “Celebrating Boglands” a beautiful anthology of prose, art, poetry, music and natural history to celebrate its achievements.

In the photograph shown (from left to right) are Matthijs Schouten, Peter Foss, Catherine O’Connell, Éamon de Buitléar, Pauline Bewick and His Excellency, Mr Jacobus van der Velden. Fiona Fallon seated.

To the Bog of Allen

The work, policies and finances of the IPCC are directed by a voluntary Committee of Management. One of the most challenging times for the Committee in the history of the organisation was the decision to purchase the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (formerly Peatland World) from Teagasc in 2003. So many issues were discussed in relation to buying this property and planning its renovation and use. The Committee voted in favour of the project and the property was purchased for €275,000 in October 2003.

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre was purchased by IPCC in 2003. It is a centre of excellence for peatland education, conservation and research. © Photo: J. FitzGerald

Further changes came with the resignation of Dr Peter Foss from the staff early in 2004 and the appointment of Dr Catherine O’Connell as Chief Executive. Her role was to establish the Bog of Allen Nature Centre as a centre of excellence for peatland conservation, education and research. The team who moved to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in June 2004 included Mary Mulvey as Centre Renovations Manager, Caroline Hurley as Conservation Officer and Oscar Duggan.  At the end of 2020 Dr. Catherine O’Connell retired from the position of Chief Executive and Ms. Nuala Madigan was appointed to her role.  Ms. Madigan joined the IPCC in 2006 and worked as Environmental Education Officer until her appointment as Chief Executive.  Ms. Madigan is supported in her role by two core staff members Mr. Tristram Whyte, Policy and Fundraising Officer and Ms. Paula Farrell. Education and Conservation Officer.  The IPCC plan on expanding the staff numbers in the near future.

Consolidation

The IPCC experienced a new phase of growth and development since the move to Kildare.  The volunteer contribution to the organisation has grown exponentially.

We have 100 regular volunteers with at least 10 of them offering one or more days work per week at the Nature Centre. Their contribution is worth five additional staff.

IPCC has established a network of peatland nature reserves which includes fen, raised bog, blanket bog and transition mire habitats. The first site purchased was Fenor Bog in Co. Waterford. Two additional peatland sites were acquired from Bord na Móna in 2005 and are being managed for nature conservation by IPCC. One of these was extended with a purchase from a private land owner in 2009. Girley Bog in Co. Meath was purchased in 2013, IPCC were donated Coad Bog in Co. Kerry in 2015 and IPCC purchased Ketts Lough, Co. Clare in 2021. Renovation of the Nature Centre to provide administrative offices, nature conservation gardens, a research library and classroom are ongoing. An educational experience for school and special interest groups visiting the centre is available. The sixth Peatland Conservation Plan 2020 for the Bogs of Ireland was published in 2009 and in 2021 IPCC published its seventh Peatland Conservation Plan, Peatlands and Climate Change 2030. A busy future is predicted.

Committee of Management

The achievements of the IPCC over the past 40 years have always been directed by our most dedicated volunteers who are members of the Committee of Management of the IPCC. Special tribute must be given to all of those who served on the Committee and made the decisions that have made IPCC what it is today.

IPCC Timeline

The major events, publications and sites saved between 1982 and 2022 by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

Year	Event
1982	IPCC formed First Peatland Inventory for Ireland compiled
1983	European Parliament Resolution on the Protection of Irish Bogs passedDutch Foundation for Conservation of Irish Bogs formed
1984	International Mire Conservation Group formed
1985	Save the Bogs Fundraising Campaign launchedWetland Archaeological Research Unit established in UCD
1986	Clara Bog, Co. Offaly saved IPCC publish the first issue of Peatland News The Wild Boglands Bellamy’s Ireland published
1987	Guide to Irish Peatlands & Rua the Red Grouse published Irish Government declare a peatland conservation target of 50,000ha Scragh Bog purchased
1988	1,100 entries in the first Save the Bogs Poster Competition
1989	WWF-UK fund the development of a Peatland Conservation Campaigner for Ireland Sheheree and Ardkill Bogs saved
1990	Peatlands Park, Co. Armagh launched International Mire Conservation Group tour Irish peatlands Anti Moss Peat Peatlands Campaign Consortium founded 2,000ha of raised bog transferred from Bord na Móna for conservation Wild Beauty of Bogs Expo Tour
1991	IPCC ‘s education programme is the national winner of the Ford Conservation Awards Irish Peatlands the Critical Decade published
1992	Peatland Education Pack for post primary schools and Our Story published Cummeragh River Bog purchase
1993	IPCC launches its Nature Shop (formerly Enviro Shop) to raise funds for bog conservation Lough Boora Parklands on Cutaway bog established
1994	Peatlands in the Primary School Curriculum published Kerry Bog Pony rediscovered by John Mulvihill of the Kerry Bog Village
1995	IPCC launch a 10 year teacher training programme on bogs into the classroom entitled Wake Up to Bogs Clochar na gCon Bog purchased
1996	IPCC’s web site launched at www.ipcc.ieBogs of Ireland published by UCD’s Environmental Institute
1997	Peatlands 2000 Conference heldIrish Government begin to designate 250,000ha of peatlands as Special Areas of ConservationIPCC Guide to Community Composting & The Save the Bogs Story publishedIPCC co-ordinate the first Hop To It National Frog Survey
1998	Towards a Conservation Strategy for the Bogs of Ireland & The IPCC Peatland Management Handbook published
1999	Fenor Bog Co. Waterford purchased in partnership with Móin Fhionnurach Development Association
2000	IPCC undertook a fen inventory of Ireland and published the resultsCutover and Cutaway Bogs Education Pack published
2001	Bogs and Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan 2005 publishedRaised Bog Study Tour and Conference heldIPCC join the Irish Environmental Network
2002	Celebrating Boglands published to mark 20 years of IPCC’s work NGO SAC Shadow List of Conservation Worthy Sites published by IPCC
2003	Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Co. Kildare purchased IPCC launched a national training programme on garden composting
2004	IPCC undertook a survey of the Bog of Allen in Kildare and Offaly
2005	Lodge Bog and Lullymore West Bogs donated by Bord na Móna to IPCC for conservation. Conservation Management Plan published for Lodge Bog
2006	IPCC launched an exhibition highlighting co-operation between the Dutch and Irish people in conserving bogs Conservation Management Plan published for Lullymore West Bog
2007	IPCC celebrate 25 years of saving bogs at the Bog of Allen Nature CentreButterfly monitoring transect established on Lullymore West Bog
2008	IPCC’s Chief Executive is appointed the Chair of the Irish Peat Society, the national committee of the International Peat Society IPCC purchase an additional 9 acres in Lodge BogGuide to Composting, Wildlife Gardening and Sustainable Living published IPCC nominated a centre for Discovering Primary Science IPCC purchase another portion of Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare
2009	IPCC join the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership IPCC publish its sixth action plan for peatland conservation in Ireland entitled Ireland’s Peatland Conservation Action Plan 2020 Bogland – a Future in Ireland Exhibition launched IPCC appointed as a Consultant on the EPS Stop Food Waste CampaignVisitor Guides to IPCC’s Nature Reserves in County Kildare published, IPCC begin trials of the Canadian Sphagnum moss transfer method of raised bog restoration
2010	IPCC publish Nature Box – Irish Habitats and Wildlife during International Year of Biodiversity IPCC launch an upskilling course for the general public focusing on best practice monitoring, management and measuring of Irish habitatsMet Éireann Weather Station established in the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore
2011	IPCC are appointed to the Peatlands Council by Government IPCC a tutor on the SEAI Schools Energy Programme. IPCC publish a Conservation Management Plan for Lodge Bog
2012	IPCC celebrate 30 years at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre IPCC launch a new-look modern web site at www.ipcc.ie
2013	IPCC purchase part of Girley Bog in Co. Meath
2015	IPCC are donated Coad Bog in Co. Kerry
2016	IPCC begin a conservation programme for breeding Curlew on Lodge Bog in Co. Kildare
2017	IPCC publish a management plan for Coad Bog in Co. Kerry and introduce grazing by donkeys to enhance the breeding habitat for marsh fritillary butterflies on Lullymore West Bog in Co. Kildare. IPCC celebrates 20 years of the National Hop to It Frog Survey
2018	The IPCC marked European Year of Cultural Heritage and international Bog Day by organising event entitled ‘Peat Crossing Borderlines’. Working with Kildare branch of Bird Watch Ireland IPCC erected three swift boxes along with a calling signal at Bog of Allen Nature Centre.
2019	First national biodiversity conference took place in Dublin Castle, IPCC were advocating for protection of bogs. The Butterly Project on Lullymore West Bog was launched. The IPCC make a statement to the Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
2020	The IPCC receive an outstanding achievement award from the National Biodiversity Data Centre. IPCC’s education programmes go virtual as the Covid-19 pandemic halts physical visits. The IPCC publish the Peatland Habitat Assessment Guide.
2021	The IPCC publish its seventh conservation action plan, Peatlands and Climate Change 2030. The IPCC represent peatlands on the Peat Use in Horticulture Working Group review. IPCC purchase 155.97 acres of Ketts Lough, part of Tullaher Lough and Bog SAC in Co.Clare. NPWS undertake enhanced rehabilitation on IPCC owned land at Girley bog, Co.Meath. The IPCC complete two significant research projects entitled Estimating the store of carbon on Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare’ and ‘A Three Year Study of Sphagnum Moss Transfer Method on Cutover bog at Girley bog, Co. Meath 2018-2021’.
2022	The IPCC are recognised as a volunteer friendly organisation by Volunteer Ireland. The IPCC attend the National Biodiversity Conference at the Print Works in Dublin and present to the members of the Citizen Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. IPCC celebrate 40 years saving bogs and wildlife.

IPCC celebrated 30 years since our foundation on International Bog Day 2012. Click on this link to see photographs from our birthday.

Text, Photographs and Images © Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.  Email: bogs@ipcc.ie; Tel: +353-45-860133.