Taking a closer look at ancient bogland sites

In a week when a report warned that Ireland's archaeological sites could be completely wiped out in the next century by land …

In a week when a report warned that Ireland's archaeological sites could be completely wiped out in the next century by land development, there is good news from the midlands. Next Saturday, as part of National Heritage Week, the public is invited to visit the richest wetland archaeological site in Europe, if not the world, where new sites are being found almost daily.

Since 1993, more than 750 archaeological sites have been recorded in Leamonaghan Bogs which are close to Ballycumber, Co Offaly.

The bogs are part of the Lough Boora parklands, the national centre of cutaway boglands rehabilitation. They are being turned into a magical place by the Lough Boora Parklands Group.

Saturday's tour of some of the sites is being led by Conor McDermott of the Irish Archaeological Unit of University College Dublin, who has been working in the Leamonaghan bogs since 1993.

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"It is quite an amazing place because the bogs have retained the archaeology of the area, and there is evidence of man's activity there going back to 1500 BC," he said. "There is material in this area from all the different ages and a great many artefacts have been collected. Perhaps the best-known find there was that of a bog body last year."

The body is currently being examined in the National Museum.

"It is a very fascinating place and it keeps turning up material. The last major discovery was that of a bishop's crozier, which was found by Bord na Mona workers in the 1970s," Mr McDermott said.

The bogs, owned by Bord na Mona, contain some of the richest and most diverse archaeological material in the country and the number of sites is exceptional.

"It is probably one of the most important wetland sites in the world. There is nothing to match it anywhere in northern Europe," he said.

The archaeology there helps build up a picture of how ordinary people lived down the ages and the materials they used. These vary from Stone Age axe heads to a medieval shoe.

The tour begins at 2 p.m. Mr McDermott will meet visitors at Gavin's Corner, Ballycumber. The group will visit three sites: a 16th-century site at Derrynagun; St Manchan's Church, built in AD 645; and the tour ends with a visit to Curraghalassa bog to a late 6th- and 7th-century AD site.

Details can be obtained by calling (0506) 45982.