Ireland’s wonderful bogs: celebrating our peatlands on World Peatland Day 2026
Peatlands are a crucial part of Ireland’s natural infrastructure. They store carbon, provide clean drinking water, help buffer against droughts and floods, and host amazing wildlife and biodiversity.
Today, peatlands cover more than 20% of Ireland’s land area. But what are they? How did they form? And why are there so many in Ireland?
What are peatlands?
Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems characterised by the accumulation of peat (partly decomposed vegetation).
They occur worldwide and include bogs, fens, and other wetland types.
In Ireland, the main peatlands are raised bogs, blanket bogs, and fens.
The three main peatland types in Ireland
Blanket bogs
Formed as persistent rainfall keeps the soil waterlogged, allowing vegetation to accumulate and peat to build up over large areas.
The peat blanket spreads across the landscape, giving rise to the name “blanket bog.”
They are common in parts of Ireland where rainfall is high and drainage is poor.
Raised bogs
Among the oldest peatlands in Ireland, developing around 10,000 years ago in the wake of the last Ice Age.
Peat builds up to form a domed surface that rises above the surrounding water table.
Raised bogs are typically donor of peat where the water level is low enough to create a distinct, raised landscape.
Fens
Minerotrophic wetlands fed by groundwater or mineral-rich water, rather than solely by rainfall.
They often occur in limestone regions where mineral-rich water supports peat formation.
Fens tend to be flatter and can be interwoven with other peatland types.
How peatlands form (in short)
Ireland’s post-glacial climate and geology created conditions where water-loving plants, like mosses and sedges, could thrive.
As plants grew, their remains accumulated as peat in waterlogged conditions.
Over centuries, layers built up and compressed to form peat and the distinctive peatland landscapes we see today.
Sphagnum moss is a keystone species: it holds water, acidifies the environment, slows decay, and promotes peat formation.
Why peatlands matter
Carbon storage: Peatlands lock away large amounts of carbon, helping regulate the climate.
Water quality and supply: They act as natural filters and reservoirs, aiding clean drinking water.
Flood and drought buffering: They slow and smooth water flow during heavy rains and dry periods.
Biodiversity: They provide habitats for unique plants and wildlife, including many species adapted to wet, acidic conditions.
Cultural and archaeoogical heritage: Peatlands are landscapes that contribute to Ireland’s cultural heritage and identity. There have been amazing archaeological finds retrieved from peatlands that tell stories of communities from times gone by.
How you can help protect peatlands
Support restoration projects and sustainable land use that reduces drainage and peat extraction.
Avoid damaging peatlands; stay on designated paths and follow local guidance.
Advocate for policies that protect and restore peatland ecosystems.
Sources:
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Why is Ireland home to so many bogs? | Maynooth University