The field of peatland restoration is currently attracting a lot of scientific interest worldwide, as attempts are being made to restore damaged peatlands and protect what little of the resource remains. (Heathwaite et al 1993).

There is within the scientific literature a body of knowledge gathered from restoration projects on how to undertake peatland rehabilitation. Many of these are long term monitoring projects with information being constantly updated. In comparison with the rest of Europe, little research has been carried out in Ireland, despite it possessing the largest peat resource.
The restoration of Glenullin Bog would be possible using existing knowledge.

The restoration would be a long term project with a series of defined stages of development.

All stages of the restoration should be scientifically monitored. The information gathered would be an invaluable record of the effectiveness of the methods of restoration used, the time periods involved and provide an evaluation of the suitability of these methods for the restoration in Irish raised bogs of this type. It is envisaged that as the restoration continued, new methods would be developed through practical observations and scientific trials.

The scientific value of Glenullin Bog for this kind of research cannot be understated.

Glenullin Bog has the following components which enhance its suitability for restoration.

1. The surface of the bog remains saturated to a few centimetres of the surface despite the recent drainage attempts.

2. The hydrology of the site is contained within a single unit and easily controllable as detailed in the hydrological report. The water table could be raised without any associated effect in the surrounding agricultural land.

3. The surface layers of the bog consist or poorly hummified peat derived from the disturbed acrotelm. This material is ideal for the restoration of bogs, as it has a high water retaining capacity which allows the Sphagnum species to develop without desiccation.

4. The gross morphology of the site remains intact with the cupola still in place with a high water table and pronounced dome. Also present are remnants of lagg fens adjacent to the Glenullin Water.

5. The surface vegetation has already begun to recolonise the bare peat from material left in situ after removal of vegetation. The low cover of Calluna vulgaris and the presence of Eriophorum angustifolium gives an indication of the continued wetness of the site. The high incidence of small regenerating Sphagnum hummocks of many different species, including S. magellanicum, is further evidence of the overall health of the site and its suitability for full restoration.

6. There is some evidence of the remnant micro-morphology of the site, (pool structure). Shallow remnant pools can be identified on the cupola where Narthecium ossifragum and Eriophorum angustifolium are regenerating.

7. There is a large local genetic resource available in the cut-away areas of the bog. These contain most of the plant species one would expect to find on an undamaged bog surface. They also act as reserves for the fauna of the site. The other bogs within the valley have been more extensively cut-over than Glenullin Bog, but these would also act as sources for the flora and fauna moving onto the restored bog. These sites are likely to contain species no longer found on Glenullin Bog due to the recent damage.

1. The blocking of all drains on the surface of the bog. This should be carried out by the use of dams every few feet to form pools. There is material available for this on the surface of the bog.

2. A full hydrological investigation:

a. The mapping of the water table and the establishment of phreatic monitoring points on the bog.

b. The determination of inputs and outputs to the hydrological system and the calculation of the full hydrological budget of the site.

3. The mapping, by probing the peat mass, of the mineral ground beneath the bog to establish the extent of the moraine ridges which could be acting as hydrological dams.

4. The raising of the water table to maintain it at the surface level of the bog by the sluicing of certain selected hydrological output points using information gathered in the above surveys.

5. The possible seeding of the site with plant material (notably Sphagnum species) collected from the cuttings. The pools created by blocking the drains are particularly suitable for this kind of active regeneration.

6. The contouring of the bog surface to enhance regeneration. This can include the creation of shallow pools ‘scooped’ on the surface.

7. The removal of any old, dry hummified peat such as that associated with old turf banks. This could include the continuation of some of the old turbary banks in a directed and sustainable manner to enhance the overall ecological value of the site.

8. The long term monitoring of all the activities is recommended with the establishment of fixed flora and fauna monitoring points. Photographic monitoring of the vegetation recovery is also recommended.

9. A Community approach is envisaged with benefits to education, scientific research and the local economy from tourist related activities.

1. Glenullin raised bog is an ombrotrophic peatland of a type which is structurally and botanically unique to Ireland. Examples of this type with an intact gross morphology are now rare in Ireland due to peat extraction.

2. Glenullin Bog possesses a near intact cupola and a remnant of a lagg fen.

3. It has retained a high and stable water table despite attempts to drain it for peat extraction.

4. Owing to the continued wetness of the site, regeneration of the vegetation has occurred since the surface vegetation was removed.

5. Restoration should be actively managed and rigourously monitored. The information obtained would be an invaluable addition to the science of peatland rehabilitation.

6. The cutaway area around the bog has acted as a refuge for the flora and fauna formerly found on the cupola. These areas enhance the value of the site considerably.

7. The site has previously been used for paleocological studies. Loss of the cupola due to peat extraction would remove a valuable reference site.

8. The bog is an intrinsic landscape feature within Glenullin which is appreciated by the local population. Removal of the bog would destroy the central feature of the valley and significantly reduce its aesthetic and tourist value.

For the reasons summarised above the halting of peat extraction followed by a full restoration of the bog as outlined in this report is recommended.