Clara bog

Clara bog is a Nature Reserve in Ireland which lies southeast of the R436 regional road between the village of Ballycumber and the town of Clara, in County Offaly.

It is one of the candidates being considered for inclusion as a UNESCO heritage site: Clara Bog . The bog is an excellent example of a large raised bog with its own distinctive flora and fauna. For centuries the Irish have taken turf from bogs as fuel for their fires; this tradition still continues as many families maintain a 'bank' of turf. The bog is some 665 ha. in extent, and is one of the largest relatively intact raised bogs remaining in Ireland. The bog has been a National Heritage Reserve since 1987 and its development since the last ice age, flora, hydrology, have all been extensively studied. The bog came to national attention in the 1980s and when requests were being made to the Irish Government to preserve the area by a number of international naturalists, David Bellamy among them. The area was only secured following the intervention of the Dutch Government who bought the land and donated it to the Irish State.

Access to the bog is from the car park along the road on the eastern part of the bog. There is no other right of way to the bog and visitors should avoid disturbing privately owned farmland. Visitors are advised to wear wellington boots and bring protective clothing as there is little shelter on the bog. There are two gravel trackways from the road leading onto the western part of the bog which are solid underfoot and from which the flora and fauna of the bog can readily be observed. Staying on these trackways will help avoid damage to the bog surface which is very fragile. Visiting is not suitable for small children or the disabled.