Cornafulla Micro Reserve

Website

Cornafulla Micro Reserve A community-led organisation focused on the natural, cultural and ecological heritage of Cornafulla Bog and the Shannon Callows.

From the bog back to the classroom Our pilot programme with Tóchar and Cornafulla National School began with pupils gett...
10/10/2026

From the bog back to the classroom

Our pilot programme with Tóchar and Cornafulla National School began with pupils getting out onto Cornafulla Bog to investigate peat depth, carbon capture, plants and wildlife, led by Tóchar’s Hazel Daly and assisted by Cornafulla Micro Reserve’s Vincent Harney and Tommy Brien.

In the second session, the work travelled back to the classroom. Pupils drew maps showing Cornafulla Bog in relation to the Shannon Callows and followed the story of a ringed Whooper Swan photographed by Owen Murphy on the Callows, tracing its journey back to Iceland.

The two sessions are helping us find out what works both on the bog and in the classroom. We are using what we learn from the pilot to develop resources that can be shared and adapted for use by other schools.

What changes when you walk from Cornafulla Bog towards the Shannon Callows?For our October First Saturday we tried a sim...
05/10/2026

What changes when you walk from Cornafulla Bog towards the Shannon Callows?

For our October First Saturday we tried a simple plant-recording exercise, looking for 16 plants that are readily recognisable at this time of year.

Armed with a four-page identification sheet, clipboard, pen and our phones, we walked from the bog, through its margin and the Callows grassland towards the River Shannon, recording plants and taking coordinates as we went.

When we mapped the observations afterwards, we found we’d got it right: the records traced the change from bog, through the bog margin and grassland, to wet ground beside the river.

It wasn’t intended as a comprehensive botanical survey (phone coordinates are approximate), but as a simple activity that can be repeated and adapted for different groups and locations.

Thanks to everyone who came along and helped build the map.

All ready for our Bog to Callows Plant Survey tomorrow morning!Join us at 11am tomorrow, Saturday 3 October, as we ident...
02/10/2026

All ready for our Bog to Callows Plant Survey tomorrow morning!

Join us at 11am tomorrow, Saturday 3 October, as we identify some of the plants growing from the bog towards the Callows and record where we find them.

Nearest Eircode: N37 FF10. Go through the field directly across the road and meet us on the bog at 11am.

Everyone welcome.

From Cornafulla Bog to the Shannon CallowsThis Saturday, 3 October, our First Saturday continues with a walk and talk le...
30/09/2026

From Cornafulla Bog to the Shannon Callows

This Saturday, 3 October, our First Saturday continues with a walk and talk led by Gerard Hannon, Roscommon Biodiversity Officer.

Starting at Cornafulla Bog, we’ll walk down through the Shannon Callows with Gerard, looking at how the habitats, plants and wildlife change along the way and at the connections between the bog and the wider wetland landscape.

The Shannon Callows here form part of the Middle Shannon Callows SPA and River Shannon Callows SAC, so this is also an opportunity to look more closely at the Natura 2000 landscape on our doorstep.

Saturday 3 October · 11am
We meet on Cornafulla Bog. Nearest Eircode: N37 FF10.

Please dress for the weather and for wet or uneven ground.

CMR First Saturdays take place at 11am on the first Saturday of each month and are open to anyone interested in learning more about Cornafulla Bog and the Shannon Callows.

Image credit: Tóchar Stories

The Bog Bothy programme may have finished in August, but the gatherings on the bog are continuing through CMR’s new mont...
27/09/2026

The Bog Bothy programme may have finished in August, but the gatherings on the bog are continuing through CMR’s new monthly First Saturdays.

At our first session, Pat Dunning of Breeding Waders EIP helped us get to grips with our spotting scopes and develop our bird-identification skills. A Stonechat gave us a good opportunity to put both into practice.

First Saturdays will continue at 11am on the first Saturday of each month, giving us a regular opportunity to build our knowledge and monitoring skills at Cornafulla Bog and within the wider Shannon Callows landscape.

12/08/2026

A lovely new film from Tóchar Stories, made by Helen Shaw of Athena Media, about how Cornafulla Micro Reserve came into being, how attention to the bog deepened, and how that curiosity became shared community action.

Many thanks to Helen for spending time with us at Cornafulla and bringing the story together.

Sun 9 August, 3–5pmBesom BashA new broom sweeps clean, but an old one knows the cornersJoin us for a final afternoon at ...
09/08/2026

Sun 9 August, 3–5pm
Besom Bash

A new broom sweeps clean, but an old one knows the corners
Join us for a final afternoon at Cornafulla to celebrate the Bog Bothy programme, share stories and think about what we would like to carry forward.

Everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, gave a talk or workshop, shared local knowledge, or helped make the programme possible is warmly invited. We’ll also have live piano music from Johnstown native James Duffy.

We’ll bring together memories of heather besoms and try making one at the Bothy, with summer refreshments.

Poet Jackie Gorman has kindly offered everyone who attends a printed copy of one of her Shannon Callows poems. Bring a pen and ask Jackie to sign it, then take it home as a keepsake or frame it for your wall.

And if you have been to any Bog Bothy event this summer, please fill out our short feedback form:
https://form.jotform.com/262156443053048

Cornafulla Micro Reserve: Bog Bothy at Cornafulla BogSat 8 August, 2pmWorkshop with Helen Duncan, contemporary ceramic s...
07/08/2026

Cornafulla Micro Reserve: Bog Bothy at Cornafulla Bog

Sat 8 August, 2pm
Workshop with Helen Duncan, contemporary ceramic sculptor and mixed-media artist. Create a seed storage pot using the ancient techniques of pinching and coiling clay in this hands-on ceramic workshop. Inspired by age-old traditions of saving, storing and protecting seeds, participants will make their own clay vessel to take through the first stages of the ceramic process. Helen has kindly offered to kiln-fire the finished pots after the workshop, transforming them into durable ceramic vessels suitable for seed storage. All materials are provided. Fired pots can be collected at a later date.

Directions from Athlone: take the old Ballinasloe Road/ Galway Road to Michael Kenny Car Sales (N37 X9A2). Turn onto the L2036 towards Creggan. Continue for 6 Minutes. At the T-junction, keep right and stay on the L2036.
Nearest Eircode N37 FF10.

We’ve just been out on Cornafulla Bog with Eugene Dunbar, setting the moth traps for tomorrow morning.We won’t know what...
02/08/2026

We’ve just been out on Cornafulla Bog with Eugene Dunbar, setting the moth traps for tomorrow morning.

We won’t know what has visited until the traps are opened – which is part of the excitement.

Join us at the Bog Bothy for:

Moths of Cornafulla Bog + Bog Time Machine
Monday 3 August, 11am

A family-friendly morning with geography teacher Eugene Dunbar, exploring moths from the overnight trap and using peat-depth measuring rods to think about the hidden history beneath our feet.

We’re hoping lots of people from the Athlone River Festival will come along.

Nearest Eircode: N37 FF10

Address

Cornafulla
Co. Roscommon

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cornafulla Micro Reserve posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category