Deposits of bog iron ore discovered on Offaly bog

The accompanying photograph shows deposits of bog iron ore which was discovered recently by a reader at Clongawney bog, which is just off the N62 Birr to Cloghan Road.

Bog iron ore was used for thousands of years in the making of swords weapons and other implements until ways were found to mine iron ore from the ground.

Our reader, who has been a regular visitor to bogs in the area for many decades, has never seen anything like this before in a bog in the area. He described it as a special find of iron ore and should be seen by anyone interested in such matters.

Access to the bog is easy enough for anyone interested but as wind turbines are due to be erected in this area of bog shortly, anyone interested is encouraged to get out to witness it first hand before the chance to see it disappears.

Work has already started on the bog and with bog rewetting also planned, these special bogs and their wonderful secrets should be enjoyed while the opportunity still arises.