Kerry exhibition to show how old maps could help to restore Ireland's boglands
The temporary exhibition is part of the RePEAT (Rediscovering Ireland's Peatlands in Precarious Times) project, which seeks to identify ways to reduce the management intensity of peatlands.
It has been running since Monday, June 10 and will be officially launched on Thursday, June 12 at 7pm. The launch will feature presentations from researchers and a Q&A session.
The display demonstrates RePEAT's use and interpretation of the maps and reports of the early 19th century Bogs Commission and contemporary satellite and land use data.
The Bogs Commission maps were created to enable the drainage of Ireland's peatlands to expand farming or industry. However, RePEAT scholars have used the maps to model the extent of peatlands in Ireland before drainage was carried out.
The digitisation of the Bogs Commission maps, said to be 'astonishingly accurate', have been used alongside land-use data to help identify present-day agricultural areas located on peat soils.
This will allow discussion to take place on possible avenues for restoration of the peatlands.
Kerry-based artist Karen Hendy's work exploring changes within the natural environment is also on show at the exhibition.
The RePEAT exhibition will run at Kerry County Museum until June 29. Those interested in finding out more can contact education@kerrymuseum.ie.
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