The Great Killaun Project, a new initiative for Birr 20|20 in 2024, aims to see much of Killaun bog conserved and managed in the longer term as a place where people can experience an area of, sometimes almost untouched, wild beauty and significant biodiversity. Killaun bog is located directly east of Birr Town and occupies an area of several hundred hectares, extending into some 14 townlands. While much of the bog has been exploited by Bord na Móna over the last generation, a reserve of almost untouched bog lies to the southwest of Killaun which is owned by Birr Community School. The rest of the bog is owned by Bord na Móna, Coillte and the Oxmantown Settlement Trust. The Killuan project, guided by Birr 20|20 and renowned local ecologist John Feehan, is now pushing to see much of this bog secured as ‘Birr’s own rainforest’, one this is accessible to the public as a site of outstanding natural significance and exceptional educational importance. Prolonged conversations have already begun with several of the landowners, with a commitment in place from the Community School, Coillte and the Oxmantown Settlement Trust to explore the potential of developing their portion of Killaun as a community resource and public amenity. A Conservation and Management Plan is also being drafted at the time of writing, while several funding opportunities are being explored.
The first priority of the project, after officially securing the support of the landowners, is to create a c. 9km ‘Explorers Route’ through the bog, which will hopefully join with the Camcor River walking route in time. The amenity aspect of the Killuan project has the potential to deliver an incredible asset to Birr Town, namely a series of walks of varying lengths, across very different landscapes, that can be accessed directly from the town if a linkage with the Camcor River walk can be achieved. Once the ‘Explorer’s Route’ has been realised the secondary aims will be a significant replanting scheme of Scot’s Pine and an educational programme. For more information check back here soon or contact us directly.
