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Tóchar Stories

@tocharstories.bsky.social
468 followers 635 following 413 posts

Sharing stories of our changing relationship with the bogs. Tóchar Wetland Restoration, #Ireland #Spéirghorm People, Places, Nature Listen: soundcloud.com/athena-media/sets/to… www.tocharwetlands.ie/tochar-stories

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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I am truly honoured to have been nominated for this wonderful Bean Feasa project 💖 thank you to Tóchar Wetlands Restoration and all who nominated me. www.tocharwetlands.ie/uncategorise... @tocharstories.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social
tocharwetlands.ie
Acclaimed Offaly based Nature Photographer Tina Claffey and Offaly Broadcaster Aisling O'Rourke Selected for Bean Feasa Portrait Series  - Tóchar Wetlands
Bean Feasa, meaning wise woman, celebrates the work of women helping to restore, protect and reimagine nature across Ireland.  Thursday, 24 September 2026, Ireland: Two […]
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 18h
The 2nd duspatch by John Feehan from Killaun bog. This time focusing on the bogholes, history, turf culture, geography and botanical wonders within the bogholes. Invaluable knowledge @peatlandecr.byoutube.com @communitywetlands.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social youtube.com/watch?v=RIvx...
youtube.com
Dispatches from Killaun Bog nr Birr - Episode 2 - Bogholes (Part 1) with John Feehan
YouTube video by Offaly Heritage
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Devil's Bits Scabious is such an important late bloomer for our insects 💕 I love when it is on the cusp of bursting into bloom, like a little purple pincushion! @peatlandecr.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A moment in time - as PP O'Reilly captures the first time turf is used to generate electricity - at the opening of the Portarlington power station in 1950. Clonsast Bog was acquired in 1936 to feed it - the turf industry of Bord na Móna was born www.rte.ie/archives/202...
rte.ie
Portarlington Power Station Opens
For the first time turf is being used in the large scale production of electricity to meet the growing demand across the country.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
healthy bogs and you have healthy habitats for precious wildlife like Curlew - facing extinction in Ireland . Owen Murphy from Breeding Waders EIP is battling to secure wader populations - and partner with farmers to make that happen. vimeo.com/1222523678?f...
vimeo.com
Owen Murphy - Breeding Waders - Cornafulla Bog, Roscommon
Owen Murphy is Senior Project Manager with Breeding Waders EIP - and we met him recently when he was doing a public talk about bird wildlife and the Shannon Callows and Cornafulla Bog during the Bog B...
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ramsar-ireland.bsky.social @ramsar-ireland.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Beautiful video with our own committee member, Owen Murphy, who eloquently explains the plight of our midland bogs and their waders, particularly #Curlew, and the fantastic work of the @breedingwaderseip.bsky.social. Maith thú! @ramsar.org @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @wwtworldwide.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
We've been adding to our audio stories for Tóchar - so check out Soundcloud or Spotify - Where the Curlew Calls - #podcast #community #Curlews soundcloud.com/athena-media...
poster of where the curlew calls
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Curlews - once an iconic sound in our wetlands - are close to extinction. Owen Murphy and Breeding Waders are fighting back to protect habitats and hold on to our curlew population #LoveBogs vimeo.com/1222523678?s...
vimeo.com
Owen Murphy - Breeding Waders - Cornafulla Bog, Roscommon
Owen Murphy is Senior Project Manager with Breeding Waders EIP - and we met him recently when he was doing a public talk about bird wildlife and the Shannon Callows and Cornafulla Bog during the Bog B...
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Bogshuffler 🪿📷 @bogshuffler.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
@sineadnico.bsky.social and I popped down the road for a gorgeous session with the #offalynaturalistsfieldclub watching the swallows (and a bonus sedge warbler!) being ringed at Pallas Lake, before they head off this autumn. Thank you to bird ringer Declan Manley and all involved at Offaly Heritage
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Irish Architecture Foundation @irisharchitecturef.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
As #BogBothy settles into its final 2026 stop, we look back at the fantastic community engagement led by the Cornafulla Micro Reserve team. It's truly inspiring how a place to gather & even a small team can pull a community together to experience the bog in new ways! @tocharstories.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We're very sorry in @tocharstories.bsky.social to see the passing of a lovely gentleman with a big heart -Gerry Rushe from Mountbellew men's shed - we had the pleasure of meeting and recording with him last year in Galway soundcloud.com/athena-media...
gerry rushe - holding poem - in mountbellew mens shed Galway
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Dr. Merritt Rae Turetsky @queenofpeat.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We tend to think of bogs as dangerous places — landscapes where you can lose your way, disappear into the monotonous mist, or become trapped in deep peat. But for centuries, bogs also offered something remarkably valuable: Refuge 1/ 🧵
Image of an Alaskan peatland with water and sedges at the edge and moss and trees in the distance.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We're very sorry in @tocharstories.bsky.social to see the passing of a lovely gentleman with a big heart -Gerry Rushe from Mountbellew men's shed - we had the pleasure of meeting and recording with him last year in Galway soundcloud.com/athena-media...
gerry rushe - holding poem - in mountbellew mens shed Galway
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British Ecological Society @britishecologicalsociety.org · 22/08/2026
Letting late summer weeds grow could help honeybees when they find it most challenging to gather nectar, according to new research in @funecology.bsky.social
A honeybee forages on a bramble flower.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Christy Wright - a lovely gentleman we met in Milltownpass when the Bog Bothy was there - shares a little of his life and his memories of turf cutting. Christy is a volunteer with Milltownpass Tidy Towns - who hosted the Bog Bothy in June. soundcloud.com/athena-media...
soundcloud.com
Christy Wright, Milltownpass Bog, Westmeath
Christy Wright is a sprightly 83 year old - volunteering with Milltownpass Tidy Towns, we met when the Bog Bothy, that wonderful yellow and blue bog Tardis landed in Milltownpass Bog for May and June
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Christy Wright - a lovely gentleman we met in Milltownpass when the Bog Bothy was there - shares a little of his life and his memories of turf cutting. Christy is a volunteer with Milltownpass Tidy Towns - who hosted the Bog Bothy in June. soundcloud.com/athena-media...
soundcloud.com
Christy Wright, Milltownpass Bog, Westmeath
Christy Wright is a sprightly 83 year old - volunteering with Milltownpass Tidy Towns, we met when the Bog Bothy, that wonderful yellow and blue bog Tardis landed in Milltownpass Bog for May and June
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Distillation at the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac on Saturday - via @tocharstories.bsky.social and Luke Casserly vimeo.com/1219874444?s...
vimeo.com
Luke Casserly's Distillation, Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Offaly August 15 2026
This is "Luke Casserly's Distillation, Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Offaly August 15 2026" by Athena Media on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Distillation at the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac on Saturday - via @tocharstories.bsky.social and Luke Casserly vimeo.com/1219874444?s...
vimeo.com
Luke Casserly's Distillation, Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Offaly August 15 2026
This is "Luke Casserly's Distillation, Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Offaly August 15 2026" by Athena Media on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
How we spent our Sunday - the Bog Bothy has now landed in Cloontuskert, Roscommon and will be there for the coming month ...we were there for the launch #loveBogs @communitywetlands.bsky.social vimeo.com/1219586576?s...
vimeo.com
The Bog Bothy at Cloontuskert, Co Roscommon
The Bog Bothy, the IAF and 12th Field peatlands communities engagement project, is on tour Summer 2026 with support from Tóchar Wetlands Restoration. Its final stop this Summer is in Cloontuskert with...
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Helen Shaw - Athena Media @athenamediaie.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Brilliant weekend working with @tocharstories.bsky.social in Kilcormac, Offaly on Saturday co-hosting Luke Casserly's Distillation theatre piece - powerfully received in a village that has been shaped by Bord na Móna #Regeneration #PeoplePlacesNature
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
How we spent our Sunday - the Bog Bothy has now landed in Cloontuskert, Roscommon and will be there for the coming month ...we were there for the launch #loveBogs @communitywetlands.bsky.social vimeo.com/1219586576?s...
vimeo.com
The Bog Bothy at Cloontuskert, Co Roscommon
The Bog Bothy, the IAF and 12th Field peatlands communities engagement project, is on tour Summer 2026 with support from Tóchar Wetlands Restoration. Its final stop this Summer is in Cloontuskert with...
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
what a weekend, Saturday in Kilcormac Offaly with Luke Casserly 's Distillation and Sunday at the launch of Bog Bothy in Cloontuskert Roscommon. First up a glimpse of Distillation at the Fiesta Hall @tinaclaffey.bsky.social (check out Melissa Casey's sweater!) @shirleynature.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
what a weekend, Saturday in Kilcormac Offaly with Luke Casserly 's Distillation and Sunday at the launch of Bog Bothy in Cloontuskert Roscommon. First up a glimpse of Distillation at the Fiesta Hall @tinaclaffey.bsky.social (check out Melissa Casey's sweater!) @shirleynature.bsky.social
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Dr. Merritt Rae Turetsky @queenofpeat.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Bog lovers! Please share your favorite peaty image or a photo of your favorite peatland. Not only are bogs a global carbon powerhouse, but they are incredibly beautiful and other-worldly. Let’s show them off.
Image of a sundewImage of a tropical pitcher plant. Image of moss sporophytesImage of an Alaskan bog.
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Irish Peatland Conservation Council @peatlandconserve.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
💜National Heritage Week 2026💜
National Heritage Week will be taking place from the 15th to the 23rd of August 2026 with events taking place nation wide with Heritage Week and The Heritage Council. 

The IPCC have planned a number of peatland events through the week and we invite you to join us! 

💜 17th-21st of August: Free Admission to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, 10am-4pm. 

💜 Monday 17th of August: Dragonfly and Damselfly Walk on Lullymore West Nature Reserve. 

💜 Tuesday 18th of August: Girley Bog Walk and Talk. 

💜 Thursday 20th of August: Bat Walk and Talk with Kildare Bat Group. Email bogs@ipcc.ie to book at place. 

💜 Friday 21st of August: Lodge Bog Walk and Talk.

You can find full details at www.heritageweek.iw and www.ipcc.ie
#lovebogs #heritageweek2026 #peatlands #nature #naturalheritage
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Such a stunning little day flying moth, the Six Spot Burnet moth. Those six scarlet red spots are hard to miss! Resting on beautiful Knapweed. What a regal creature ❤️ @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @peatlandecr.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social
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Helen Shaw - Athena Media @athenamediaie.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Handful of free tickets available for Luke Casserly's beautiful bog inspired show - Distillation -in the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Offaly this Saturday - hosted by @tocharstories.bsky.social - link in story below if you are interested #spéirghorm
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Join us on Saturday for Luke Casserly's Distillation performances in the lovely Fiesta Hall Kilcormac, Offaly - tickets via the eventbrite in the story - performances 12 noon and 2.30pm - couple of tickets left and a waiting list operating www.tocharwetlands.ie/community-st.... (Free tickets!)
tocharwetlands.ie
Tóchar brings Luke Casserly’s Distillation show to the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, August 15th - Tóchar Wetlands
By Helen Shaw If part of our work in Tóchar Stories is about mapping people’s changing relationship with the bogland […]
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Nature's star 🌟 Wild Carrot in bloom 💕 @peatlandecr.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @claireissimo.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We're hosting Luke Casserly's Distillation in the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Aug 15 :shows are booked but join waitlist if you want to join us? We've just opened it. www.eventbrite.com/cc/luke-cass... #LoveBogs #Offaly @communitywetlands.bsky.social @tinaclaffey.bsky.social @rachelmurphy.bsky.social
eventbrite.com
Luke Casserly Distillation, Fiesta Hall
Join us at one of the performances by Luke Casserly of his show Distillation - a bog-inspired sensory experience playfully capturing our changing relationship with the bog
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The sphagnum mosses are grateful for this deluge of rain after such a long dry spell... holding over 20 times their own weight in water, they are life giving natural sponges ❤️ @sphagnums.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @peatlandecr.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We're hosting Luke Casserly's Distillation in the Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, Aug 15 :shows are booked but join waitlist if you want to join us? We've just opened it. www.eventbrite.com/cc/luke-cass... #LoveBogs #Offaly @communitywetlands.bsky.social @tinaclaffey.bsky.social @rachelmurphy.bsky.social
eventbrite.com
Luke Casserly Distillation, Fiesta Hall
Join us at one of the performances by Luke Casserly of his show Distillation - a bog-inspired sensory experience playfully capturing our changing relationship with the bog
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Irish Peatland Conservation Council @peatlandconserve.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
*Job Vacancy* The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are now accepting applications for the position of Conservation and Education Officer. Full details can be found by visiting www.ipcc.ie. Deadline for applications 21st August 2026.
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Simon Geraghty @sigeraghty.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Enjoyed the writers workshop last weekend. This space provides timelessness and perspective. Many thoughts and ideas triggered.
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Sometimes you need to get a bird's eye view to see the magnificence of the bog - particularly at Cornafulla #Roscommon vimeo.com/1211827881?s... #LoveBogs
vimeo.com
The Bog Bothy at Cornafulla Micro Reserve, Co. Roscommon
The Bog Bothy is on tour with Summer with support from Tóchar Wetlands Restoration. It is being hosted until August 9th by the Cornafulla Micro Reserve group, a community of local custodians of the bo...
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
If you are around Athlone you're not far from Bog Bothy in Cornafulla; check out some of the public events. This is our story about a day there, meeting volunteers taking care of the landscape and its wildlife. #whooperSwans winter there!. www.tocharwetlands.ie/blog/bog-bot... #BogBothy #LiveBogs
tocharwetlands.ie
Bog Bothy Summer Days at Cornafulla, Co Roscommon - Tóchar Wetlands
By Helen Shaw, Tóchar Stories There is something about wandering down a field in a flourishing bog and suddenly happening […]
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
It was such a pleasure to photograph the rare Pipewort wildflower in the heart of Connemara, at the edge of a bog pool. Its little spherical head mesmerising when viewed from the top! @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @peatlandecr.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The Bog Bothy is a creative initiative by Irish Architecture Foundation and 12th Field - supported by Tóchar Wetlands Restoration in its community tour 2026. It is in Cornafulla until August 9th and then heading to Clontuskert. Catch it if you can! #BogBothy
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The Bog Bothy is a creative initiative by Irish Architecture Foundation and 12th Field - supported by Tóchar Wetlands Restoration in its community tour 2026. It is in Cornafulla until August 9th and then heading to Clontuskert. Catch it if you can! #BogBothy
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
If you are around Athlone you're not far from Bog Bothy in Cornafulla; check out some of the public events. This is our story about a day there, meeting volunteers taking care of the landscape and its wildlife. #whooperSwans winter there!. www.tocharwetlands.ie/blog/bog-bot... #BogBothy #LiveBogs
tocharwetlands.ie
Bog Bothy Summer Days at Cornafulla, Co Roscommon - Tóchar Wetlands
By Helen Shaw, Tóchar Stories There is something about wandering down a field in a flourishing bog and suddenly happening […]
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Barney Donlon, still farming in his mid 80s, shared his own bogland stories, and a lifetime with Bord na Móna, with us in Cloonlarge Bog, Co Roscommon #LoveBogs soundcloud.com/athena-media... #WheretheCurlewCalls
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Dr. Merritt Rae Turetsky @queenofpeat.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Peat in its natural state is fire resistant. Healthy boglands protect adjacent forests and grasslands from drought and fire. But under a warming climate and mismanagement, peat fires can wreak havoc and burn for months. Important thread by @davidrvetter.bsky.social
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Barney Donlon, still farming in his mid 80s, shared his own bogland stories, and a lifetime with Bord na Móna, with us in Cloonlarge Bog, Co Roscommon #LoveBogs soundcloud.com/athena-media... #WheretheCurlewCalls
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Hidden in plain sight among the Sphagnum mosses, the Round leaved Sundew lies in wait for its prey 💕 such a beauty @peatlandecr.bsky.social @sphagnums.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social
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nancyforde.com @nancyfjorde.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Loved listening to this! #LoveBogs
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
We're hosting Luke Casserly's bog inspired show Distillation in Kilcormac in August, at the newly refurbished Fiesta Hall, we've a handful of gift tickets for bog lovers in the Midlands - email tocharstories@gmail.com if interested in coming? #LoveBogs @tinaclaffey.bsky.social
man looking to side in front of turf - poster for show Distillation in Kilcormac Co Offaly
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
We're hosting Luke Casserly's bog inspired show Distillation in Kilcormac in August, at the newly refurbished Fiesta Hall, we've a handful of gift tickets for bog lovers in the Midlands - email tocharstories@gmail.com if interested in coming? #LoveBogs @tinaclaffey.bsky.social
man looking to side in front of turf - poster for show Distillation in Kilcormac Co Offaly
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Our feature on the former Bord na Móna workers reunion in Boora, Offaly a few weekends ago. Extremely moving gathering - we need to carry people's stories, our past, our culture, in the energy transition: sharing our past and reimagining our future #Spéirghorm www.tocharwetlands.ie/community-st...
tocharwetlands.ie
‘There’s a massive human story to be told’ - Tóchar Wetlands
Bord na Móna Boora, Offaly workers reunite on the company’s 80th birthday – Helen Shaw – Tóchar Stories It all […]
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Tóchar Stories @tocharstories.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
New episode in our spotify series 'where the curlew calls' with biodiversity officer, Co Offaly, Ricky Whelan; a definite birdman of the bogland #podcasts #spotify #spéirghorm #lovebogs open.spotify.com/show/5hj0Qcn...
open.spotify.com
Where the Curlew Calls - our changing relationship with the bogs
Podcast · Tóchar Stories (Ireland) · Where the Curlew Calls - audio conversations with Helen Shaw and Tóchar Stories about our changing relationship with the bogs and peatlands - the wetlands of Irela...
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