Monivea Bog

Monivea Bog is situated approximately 5 km north-east of Athenry, Co. Galway. It is located in the townlands of Corrantarrmud, Newcastle, Glenaslat and Lenamor. To the east lies the Killaclogher River and to the north a large coniferous plantation. It is located in an area of karstic limestone. The site is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Active raised bog comprises areas of high bog that are wet and actively peat forming, where the percentage cover of bog mosses (sphagnum spp.) is high, and where some or all of the following features occur: hummocks, pools, wet flats, sphagnum lawns, flushes and soaks.

Degraded raised bog corresponds to those areas of high bog whose hydrology has been adversely affected by peat cutting, drainage and other land use activities, but which are capable of regeneration. This site consists of two higher areas to the north and south, with a central depression associated with an extensive flush system. The dome of the bog features a pool/hummock complex including wet, quaking areas. There is also a lake and swallow holes located in the north-west flush and soak system. Cutover bog is found all around the margins of the high bog and is extensive on the north and eastern margins. Tracks are found on the high bog to allow access for peat-cutting. The high bog has vegetation typical of the Western Raised Bog type.

The cutover areas are sparsely vegetated in the north, east and south, and where vegetation occurs it is dominated by common cotton grass. The tracks in and around the bog are lined mainly with gorse and willows with some birch and bracken. Monivea Bog is a site of considerable conservation significance as it comprises a raised bog, a rare habitat in the E.U. and one that is becoming increasingly scarce and under threat in Ireland. The site supports a diversity of raised bog microhabitats including hummock/hollow complexes, pools, flushes, soak system and open water. Active raised bog is listed as a priority habitat on the E.U. Habitats Directive. Priority status is given to habitats and species that are threatened throughout the E.U. Ireland has a high proportion of the E.U. resource of this habitat type (over 60%) and so has a special responsibility for its conservation at an international level.