Get your wellies ready for Offaly Bog Trotters Festival

CLARA Heritage Society have announced the dates for this year's bog trotters festival running from June 19 – 22.

The event celebrates Clara’s rich peatland heritage with art, nature and community.

In collaboration with Clara Tidy Towns the festival has been awarded funding through the Natura Peatland Community Engagement Scheme, supporting a celebration of Clara’s unique peatland heritage and cultural traditions.

Taking place this summer, the Bog Trotters Festival will highlight the beauty and importance of the Clara Bog, the vast Esker Loop Walks, and the historic River Brosna— all easily accessible via Clara’s train station.

This immersive festival invites the public to explore the past and future of Ireland’s peatlands through an exciting programme of guided walks, site visits, live talks, art and craft exhibitions, music, drama, food, and camping.

This year’s festival also includes a special dimension with the Irish Architecture Foundation, who will host the Bog Bothy Festival as part of the event. A specially designed Bog Bothy will be constructed to overlook the Clara Bog, offering artists and visitors a 360° view of the landscape and serving as a space for creative workshops, performances, and cultural celebrations and the sharing of knowledge.

Festival Highlights Include:

• Guided bogland and esker loop walks

• Talks, live discussions, and site tours

• Bog-inspired visual art, crafts, and live performance

• Bog social culture inspired community drama

• Music, food, and dance

• Family-friendly activities and on-site camping