A cartoon frog with a big, open mouth and yellow eyes, inside a circular logo with the words 'Bog Academy' written around it.

Bog Academy

life space and time

Bog Academy is an adaptable, fun, hands-on school programme that brings peatland education to life for young learners across Ireland

Since 2021, Bog Academy has been reconnecting young people in Ireland with one of their most vital local ecosystems: peatlands. Despite covering vast stretches of the country and holding deep cultural history, peatlands remain largely missing from the national curriculum.

We bridge this gap by bringing learning to life. Through immersive sensory activities, interactive games, and guided field trips led by local experts, Bog Academy makes peatland education unforgettable. Our mission is built on three core pillars: knowledge building, strengthening community ties, and fostering conversations and action to take place across the country.

A simple black and white cartoon drawing of a frog sitting on a patch of grass, with a friendly expression and large eyes.

2021

The pilot

1

SCHOOL

41

STUDENTS

Building foundations and setting up the first fieldtrips

2022

EXPANSION

7

SCHOOLs

379

SCHOOL

curriculum integration, engaging more bogs

2023

LEARNING

7

SCHOOLs

308

STUDENTS

Deepening education research

2024

STRATEGY

Planning for future impact

Peat pen pals LAUNCH

A strategy year for programme enrichment

2025

sCALE-UP

15

SCHOOLs

649

STUDENTS

WIDER OUTREACH, ENHANCED FIELD PROGRAMMES

2026

cOMMUNITY

16

SCHOOLs

833

STUDENTS

MAKING MORE CONNECTIONS AND BUILDING RECOGNITION

What we offer

  • A free peatland education programme designed for 7-11 year old primary school pupils

  • The program includes around a day’s worth of in-class exercises, followed by a field trip to a nearby bog

  • RE-PEAT provides all materials (teacher guides, slides, a “bog-in-a-box”), coordinates the trip, and covers transportation costs

Sign up for 2027!

Schools and Bogs we worked with so far

Colorful map of a region in Ireland with notable landmarks and landmarks labeled, including parks, schools, and historical sites, with icons representing different locations and attractions.

St. Patrick’s BNS, Clooneyquinn NS, Emper NS, Taughmaconnell NS, Seir Keiran’s NS, Aston Village Educate Together, St. Brigid’s NS, Knocktemple NS, Eyrecourt NS, St. Kilian's German School, Loreto Primary School, Cloughjordan, Cannistown School, Carnaross NS, St. Tolas NS, Camross NS, Feevagh NS, Barnaderg NS, Clonown NS, St Patricks NS, St Mary's NS, Ardnagrath NS, Scoil Mhuire, Ballygiblin NS, Garranlahan NS, Ballyshannon NS, Bangor Erris NS, Glandore NS, Oxmantown NS

Schools

Abbeyleix Bog, Corlea Bog, Boora Bog, Ardee Bog, Girley Bog, Carrownagappul Bog, Kilteevan Bog, Lullymoor, Schohaboy Bog, Clara Bog, Killyconny Bog, Griston Bog, Ballycroy Bog, Donie Reegan's Paludiculture farm

bogs

  • Three young boys in blue school uniforms holding certificates of achievement and smiling at the camera, standing in front of a colorful school bulletin board decorated with student artwork and speech bubbles.
  • Classroom scene with students in blue uniforms watching a presentation on a large screen displaying pictures of animals labeled 'Stonechat,' 'Badger,' 'Sundew,' 'Fox,' 'Pine Moth,' 'Hare,' 'Skylark,' and 'Snipe.'
  • Children sitting at desks in a classroom, focused on drawing or writing, with books and supplies on the desks and shelves in the background.
  • Students in classroom conducting a science experiment with a teacher, mixing substances in a large bowl, surrounded by educational materials.
  • Group of children and an adult outdoors, wearing rain jackets and hoods, engaged in an educational activity, with trees in the background.
  • A teacher talking to a group of students in a classroom, students attentively listening, colorful posters on the wall.
  • A classroom filled with students watching a presentation on a large screen. The screen displays information comparing different types of birds, including the Common Frog, Eurasian Curlew, and Golden Plover, with images and descriptive text.
  • A black and white rock or mineral with a rough surface, wrapped in white plastic or tissue paper, placed on a wooden surface.
  • Group of children in waterproof clothing and boots, standing on a boardwalk in a wet, marshy area outdoors on a cloudy day. Some children are holding insect nets, and a girl in a purple jacket and glasses is holding a container.
  • Group of children and adults dressed in rain jackets and boots standing on a wooden boardwalk in an open field on a cloudy day.
  • Three children outdoors dressed in colorful rain jackets and hats, with two holding magnifying glasses, exploring or playing in rainy weather.
  • Close-up of four individuals standing on a wooden bridge, wearing rain boots, outdoors surrounded by autumn foliage.
A black-and-white cartoon butterfly with polka-dot wings and large, expressive eyes, beside a speech bubble containing text about a school project.
A black and white illustration of a dragonfly, with a speech bubble that says, 'Such an enjoyable day in nature that they will remember forever'.
A cartoon drawing of a snail with glasses next to a speech bubble that says, "How much they enjoyed creating their own bog in the jar. The simple things are often the best."

BOG ACADEMY 2022 VIDEO

By Philm Productions

Bog Academy reports

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Logo of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with text in Irish and English.

Bog Academy has been made possible with the financial support of the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

photos: Oonagh Casey photography

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A purple, line-drawn illustration of a bird perched on a branch, facing to the left.