Information furnished by McDon Peat of Coalisland (summary of application for peat exraction at Glenullin Bog, 23.5.94) records that mechanical extraction of peat began on the site during the 1970’s but it is not specific to the year. A study on the vegetation history of the site carried out in 1974 by M. Johnson does not mention commercial peat extraction.

It refers to the site as an excellent example of a raised bog with a largely intact cupola in comparison with the adjacent bogs in the valley which have been extensively cut over. It is described as having a hummock and pool system ‘regeneration complex’ with many different Sphagnum species.

Unfortunately these are not listed individually. This indicates that a heralthy bog was in existence at that time, possibly with some of the now less common species associated with regeneration complexes in raised bogs, notably Sphagnumm imbricatum, S. fuscum and S. pulchrum (Morrison, 1959).

Whatever the date of commencement of commercial operations , it seems that at present relatively little peat has been removed from the site as the cupola remains largely intact with exception of a small area of block cutting working in the south west corner of the cupola (approx 1ha).

The surface vegetation has been extensively disturbed by the most recent and illegal commercial activities. New drains have been put into the surface of the bog. These are in a grid system with two large main drains (1-2m deep) transacting the centre of the cupola from the Glenullin Road to the Glenullin Water. Further deep drains have been established along some of the edges of the cupola. From these drains leading out at right angles across the cupola surface are a network of smaller drains (30-40cm deep). Information from McDon Peat records that this was carried out from 1992 but no specific date is given.

Some of the drains have been cut with a mechanical digger, and the soil heaped to one side. The smaller cross drains have been cut with a spinning disc which has spread loose peat over the surface of the bog (recorded in a letter from D. Hughes, Ulster Wildlife Trust, to the Town and Country Planning service, Minerals Unit (dated 7.6.94).

This material is poorly humified fresh peat largely derived from the acrotelm (Ingram 1982) which is the living skin of the bog; the surface vegetation and the fresh peat immediately below the surface. This has excellent water retention properties. In an undisturbed bog it acts as a natural hydrological control keeping the surface saturated at all times.

Most of the surface vegetation of the cupola has been disturbed at some time. It is uncertain when this occurred, but the most recent activity appears to have been in the last two years. This can be ascertained from the level of recovery of the vegetation by scrapping or by covering it with material from the ditches. D. Hughes in his letter (7.6.94) suggests that some surface milling may have taken place. No evidence of this was found.
The re-vegetated former turbary areas have remained untouched since abandonment and have not been disturbed by the activities of McDon peat.

Despite recent and other past attempts to drain the bog, it appears to have remained very wet, with the water table still only a few centimetres below the surface. Part of the cupola, particularly the western side, appear to be wetter than other areas.

In order to ascertain the hydrological status of the site a basic hydrological survey was carried out. This is included with the report along with recommendations for future hydrological monitoring.