Peatlands in Practice
Restore ecosystems. Build community. Feel good!
Peatlands in Practice is our new, community-led peatland restoration project! Based at our 50 acres site here at The Common Knowledge centre in Kilfenora, County Clare.
Over the next 6 months, we will work with ecologists, educators, cultural practitioners, and local communities to restore degraded peatland habitats through hands-on ecosystem restoration education, and together we will learn how to appreciate the beauty of bogs and the importance of restoring them.
This project invites people to take part directly in peatland restoration, reconnecting with the living landscapes shaped by both nature and culture.
Why peatlands matter
The island of Ireland is approximately ¼ peatland.
Peatlands are amongst the most important ecosystems on Earth. They store vast amounts of carbon, regulate water systems, and support unique biodiversity by providing habitat to an abundance of flora and fauna.
When peatlands are drained or degraded, they shift from carbon stores into carbon sources, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming and climate change.
Restoring peatlands helps to:
Store and stabilise carbon
Restore natural water systems
Support biodiversity recovery
Strengthen climate resilience
Protect cultural and ecological landscapes
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Restoration Education Workshops
Hands-on sessions exploring peatland rewetting, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, citizen science, and regenerative land management practices.
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Guided Peatlands Tours
Seasonal walks exploring our mixed habitat site and the ongoing restoration works. You are invited to join the Common Knowledge team for our Peatlands, Heritage and Biodiversity Tour of the Land. This event is perfect for anyone interested in peatlands restoration, sustainable practices, nature, biodiversity, heritage and history, or if you’re simply curious about Common Knowledge. It’s also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and connect with others in the community
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Community Events
Including the Peatlands in Practice festival and cultural gatherings, Oral history collection and storytelling, and collaboration with our wider programme of climate and heritage events.
Restoration in practice
The aim of peatland restoration is to restore the water level conditions that allow peat to form naturally. Restoration work focuses on slowing and holding water within the landscape, allowing the bog to re-wet and begin long term ecological recovery.
At our site we have approximately 9 acres of peatland. Historic drainage has lowered water levels across the site, leading to drying, peat oxidation, and habitat change.We are prioritising low impact, sustainable restoration methods at Common Knowledge, that avoid plastics or chemical inputs, and where appropriate draw on traditional land management approaches.
Stories
Alongside restoration work, the project will gather oral histories from people connected to peatlands in County Clare.
Working with folklorist Dáithí Ó Reilly, who studied Irish Folklore at University College Cork and has collected for the Cork Folklore Project. Since moving to Clare, he has been getting to know the landscape the slow way through the people who grew up in it. As part of Peatlands in Practice, he will be gathering first-hand accounts from neighbours and local people: their rememberings of the work, changes and survival of things that no longer have a common name.
These stories will be shared through a public event bringing together storytelling, music, and community reflection.
“Bogs and peatlands are so intrinsically linked to our Irish heritage and culture, and working together to protect and restore these living landscapes will have a really meaningful impact on both people and the planet.”
Community
To make environmental education accessible, we have secured the funding from the NPWS and The Heritage Council, to ensure that all workshops, tours, and events are free-of-charge to attend. The project is designed to be accessible and open, encouraging participation from a wide range of communities. It is about rebuilding relationships between people and place.
Participants are invited to return across the programme, building familiarity with the land and developing practical ecological skills over time.
This work builds on previous community-led restoration initiatives at Common Knowledge, including the ongoing Field Good Fridays programme.
2026 Workshops Planned
Booking for each workshop opens one month in advance.
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This workshop will focus on practical peatland re-wetting techniques, with an emphasis on understanding water movement and blocking drains using simple and sustainable timber dams. Participants will take part in hands-on activities and learn how small scale interventions can make a positive impact to peatland conditions, carbon retention, and overall ecosystem health.
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This workshop will train participants in simple peatland monitoring techniques that can be carried out by community groups and by individuals. The focus will be on recognising signs of peatland health or degradation and on recording information in a consistent way that can support future conservation work.
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This workshop will introduce participants to the range of plant and animal life found on peatlands and how to record it. Training will focus on practical observation skills and building confidence so that community members can take part in ongoing biodiversity monitoring.
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This workshop will look at less conventional approaches to peatland restoration, including the use of biochar and sheep’s wool as locally available, low environmental impact materials. It will also explore how community involvement can support restoration work and help build a stronger connection between people and their local peatlands.
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This session will provide an overview of how peatlands store carbon and why they are important in tackling climate change. The workshop will be discussion based and aimed at helping participants understand the wider environmental value of protecting and restoring peatlands.
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This session will provide an overview of how peatlands store carbon and why they are important in tackling climate change. The workshop will be discussion based and aimed at helping participants understand the wider environmental value of protecting and restoring peatlands.
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This workshop will help participants learn to identify common peatland bird species and understand their habitats. It will also introduce basic bird survey methods and explain how bird records can contribute to a better understanding of peatland conditions.
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This workshop will focus on practical peatland re-wetting techniques, with an emphasis on understanding water movement and blocking drains using simple and sustainable timber dams. Participants will take part in hands-on activities and learn how small scale interventions can make a positive impact to peatland conditions, carbon retention, and overall ecosystem health.
Peatlands in Practice Festival
24th and 25th of October 2026
A two-day gathering at the Common Knowledge Centre for community groups taking action on peatland restoration across Ireland. The weekend will include hands-on workshops, guided walks of the bog, and a peer exchange bringing together groups to share approaches, challenges, and learning from their own sites. The festival will also mark the culmination of our Boglands Oral History Project, with a public presentation of recorded testimonies, traditional music, and song exploring the cultural history and living memory of the peatlands. All activities are free and open to everyone.
More details and booking coming soon. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know when festival details and tickets are available..
Get Involved
Peatlands have been part of Irish life for thousands of years, and right now, they need us back. Whether you join us for a guided walk on a bright winter morning, roll up your sleeves for a restoration workshop, or simply come along to listen and learn, there is a place for you in this work. We are building something together, and every pair of hands and every curious mind makes a difference. Have a look at what's coming up and find the day that suits you.
Upcoming Peatlands in Practice Events
More events to be announced in the coming weeks
2026 Supporters & Partners
Common Knowledge is deeply grateful for the support of its co-funders the National Parks & Wildlife Services & the Heritage Council for bringing the Peatlands in Practice project to life.
We are also very grateful to our other supporters SSE Airtricity, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Patagonia and Ecosystem Restoration Communities for our their support with our overall efforts in eco-system registration.
