Abbeyleix bog project celebrates '25 years On'
Local artist and festival curator of Abbeyleix Bog Project 25 Years On Alison McEvoy, artist and photographer Annie Holland and award winning macro nature photographer Tina Claffey Photos: Stan Henderson
OVER 100 people, including several guest speakers, attended the launch in the heritage town’s Manor Hotel on Thursday 24 July.
The event marked the silver jubilee to the day since the Defenders of Abbeyleix Bog stopped Bord na Mona machines from peat harvesting on the exquisite bog.
On Monday 24 July 2000, the stillness of the bog was planned to be broken when, without warning, machines arrived to begin the peat harvesting works, threatening the delicate ecosystem, rare in wildlife and fauna.
However, the night before (Sunday 23 July 2000) word spread among several locals about what was coming and at dawn on the Monday, a group of 50-strong had gathered at the bog’s entrance standing shoulder-to-shoulder forming a peaceful blockade in a quiet but powerful resistance.
On the day, the late Kevin Hutchinson took an iconic photograph of 37 of these individuals who were united in purpose. Locals say that moment marked more than a protest and was the birth of the Abbeyleix Bog Project (ABP), which is now recognised across Ireland as a model of community-led conservation.
The massive achievements of ABP over the quarter-century period were celebrated in the hotel’s stone arch room, where a prosecco and punch reception awaited guests on arrival. Following the two-hour event, tea/coffee and a variety of canapés and treats were served.
Not only was the large event room filled with over 100 guests but there were also two fantastic photographic exhibitions by photographers Annie Holland and Tina Claffey. The exhibited photographs featured captivating macro photographs of fauna, wildlife and sharp portraits of some of the Defenders of Abbeyleix Bog, which was previously owned by Tom de Vesci.
A video titled as well as a short documentary screening by local filmmaker Brendan Phelan of Video Nation, were also screened.
The launch also featured a rich mix of speakers, including ABP director Garry Luttrell, who was MC for the evening and Philip Bromwell from RTÉ, who spoke about the successes of the ABP and his three-minute video film report which he made for RTÉ News back in 2023 was also screened.
Also speaking was local artist and ABP festival curator Alison McEvoy, who outlined a large number of exciting events which took place over the festival weekend both on the bog and in various venues around the town.
The list included walks, talks, cycles, workshops, bat box building with the local men’s shed, basket weaving, yoga and much more.
Current senator and previous minister for nature Malcolm Noonan spoke of the amazing success of the ABP, congratulating everyone involved. Dr James Rohu of Trinity College talked about the national exhibition. His colleague Dr Lily Toomey also spoke to the gathering, albeit on screen, as she couldn’t attend.
The evening finished with some original Defenders of Abbeyleix Bog, family representatives of members who have since passed and a group of current bog defenders taking photos at the bog entrance.
Laois PPN, Community Wetlands Forum and National Parks and Wildlife Service were also represented at the launch.
The exhibition is on loan from the National Library and can be viewed in Abbeyleix Heritage House during heritage week from 16-24 August.
See more photos in this week's Laois Nationanlist, on sale from tomorrow in all local stores or online
