Mayo project is the largest of its kind in the country
The retired businessman plans to restore hundreds of hectares of bogland in Erris.
A retired Irish businessman is restoring 723 hectares of drained blanket bog in the Erris region in what is the largest private restoration project of its type in the country.
Joe Devine, who has held investments in the energy, telecoms and film industry as well as being a shareholder in League of Ireland club Shelbourne FC, gave a presentation at last week’s meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District about the ongoing work at Merlin Rock Blanket Bog, located 4km southwest of Bangor Erris.
Mr Devine told the meeting the restoration will involve drain-blocking to re-wet the degraded peatland in an effort to remove 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions currently produced by the site. A further 246 hectares of state-owned lands at the Bangor Erris Bog are also part of the project following an agreement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Mr Devine said an assessment of the potential impact on ecological receptors, such as the blanket bog habitat, was carried out and it was found that there were significant positive effects and no negative effects on the receptors. Further assessments will be carried out every five years to measure the impact of the work.
Mr Devine said there has been significant educational interest in the project.
Cllr Peter Flynn praised the businessman for taking such a proactive role in tackling the effects of climate change.
“If you compare what you are doing versus the big commercial turf operators who are stripping away our bogs, it is incredible what you are doing,” he said. “Future generations will benefit from projects like this.”
Other councillors were a bit more skeptical, however.
“I wouldn’t buy land unless I could make a profit,” said Cllr John O’Malley. “How many people can buy land without making a profit?” he added, asking if Mr Devine planned to farm the land.
Mr Devine said he had no such plans and that this project was his way of giving something back to the environment. It was strictly a not-for-profit venture.
“I’m lucky that with 40 years of work behind me, I’m able to buy it and create the largest restoration project in the country that is in private hands.”
