Mary Robinson addresses St Brendan’s Community School at relaunch of boardwalk

Students and staff of St Brendan's Community School in Birr last week welcomed a former President of Ireland to virtually relaunch the Killaun Bogland Reserve boardwalk, which she had previously launched for the first time in 1991.

At the time, a section of the bog was donated to the school, and pupils and staff set about building a boardwalk which became an educational and recreational outlet for numerous visitors, students and researchers.

Over the years, the boardwalk became less and less used, according to the current principal John Kennedy.

"I wouldn't say that it had fallen into disrepair," he said, "but it began to be used less. Before, it was used a lot by science teachers who would bring out students for the biodiversity aspect of the subjects.

"Looking back now the school was visionary for having set something like that up at the time. Green flags and schools are everywhere now, but at the time things like that weren't very common."

During the Celtic Tiger years, John said usage of the boardwalk dwindled, but the school community recognised its importance and began to look into ways in which it could be improved once again in recent years.

"We got grant assistance from different groups, including the Heritage Council Community, Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme, Offaly County Council Heritage Office and the Story of Bogs Video Project, and the school also funded part of it too."

Work on the project began in early 2020, and the total cost came to over €100,000. It was also completed by a former student of the school, John Tierney, and his company Irish Recycled Products.

Former President Mary Robinson addressed those in attendance at the relaunch on Thursday November 18, which also included Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Barry Cowen TD, Carol Nolan TD and Offaly Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow among others.

"It was great to have her speak at the relaunch, and when I reached out in September to see if she would be interested, she jumped at the chance," John said.

"She spoke for ten minutes on the importance of projects like this one, and she spoke of Birr, its people and and the rich heritage the area has."

Also launched on the night was a book by local botanist and geologist John Feehan, titled 'When the Nightjar Returns', which looks to the return of the bird in the area following local preservation work.

"This is just the beginning of the project," John Kennedy explained. "This boardwalk is part of a larger 7km trail that will be completed over the coming years, and we hope that preservation work will lead to the return of the Nightjar and other species of animals."

The trail will have QR codes scattered along the trail which will lead users to pages online with information about the bog and its biodiversity.

"Teachers are going to be trained on how to make the most out of the trail, and it will be a great resource for both students and the wider community," he finished.