A Window to Our Past

and a Vision to Our Future

A Window to Our Past and a Vision to Our Future

Through the history of Bord na Móna, the communities we serve and work in have always been at our core.

Explore Our Rich 80 Year History in Ireland's Midlands.

A Timeline of our History

Scroll through our timeline, and read about the key events in Bord na Móna's history.

1930s
Turf Cutting Competitions
The competition was launched to increase the awareness of peat as a fuel and to help increase production.
Turf Cutting Competitions
The competition was launched to increase the awareness of peat as a fuel and to help increase production.
1940s
Eamon de Valera and Frank Aiken visit in 1944
Every year Eamon de Valera visited the Turf Board, and later Bord na Móna, to show his support for the development of the bogs.
Eamon de Valera and Frank Aiken visit in 1944
Every year Eamon de Valera visited the Turf Board, and later Bord na Móna, to show his support for the development of the bogs.
1950s
Coill Dubh Village Scheme
The building of houses for workers was seen as vital for a permanent workforce. In total, 572 houses were built in eight villages.
Coill Dubh Village Scheme
The building of houses for workers was seen as vital for a permanent workforce. In total, 572 houses were built in eight villages.
1960s
Crossing the Shannon
Bord na Móna's civil works section designed and built many bridges over the years including this one which links the bogs on the Western bank of the Shannon with Blackwater.
Crossing the Shannon
Bord na Móna's civil works section designed and built many bridges over the years including this one which links the bogs on the Western bank of the Shannon with Blackwater.
1970s
Third Development Launch
In 1974, the board launched a programme for future development in the new world fuel situation. This would become the Third Development Programme.
Third Development Launch
In 1974, the board launched a programme for future development in the new world fuel situation. This would become the Third Development Programme.
1980s
Haku Milled Peat Process
Bord na Móna began experimenting with different production systems. In Oweninny, the haku system was used, and the peat was loaded into trailers and conveyed to a central stockpile.
Haku Milled Peat Process
Bord na Móna began experimenting with different production systems. In Oweninny, the haku system was used, and the peat was loaded into trailers and conveyed to a central stockpile.
1990s
Wind Farm at Bellacorick, Co.Mayo
In 1991, Bord na Móna joined with a group of developers to establish a wind farm in Co. Mayo. Bord na Móna has since bought additional shares in the venture and now owns 100% of the company.
Wind Farm at Bellacorick, Co.Mayo
In 1991, Bord na Móna joined with a group of developers to establish a wind farm in Co. Mayo. Bord na Móna has since bought additional shares in the venture and now owns 100% of the company.
2000s
Biomass Intake Facility, Edenderry
Bord na Móna will progressively reduce the overall carbon intensity of the electricity we produce through biomasss co-firing in our peat-fired Edenderry plant.
Biomass Intake Facility, Edenderry
Bord na Móna will progressively reduce the overall carbon intensity of the electricity we produce through biomasss co-firing in our peat-fired Edenderry plant.
2010s
Mountlucas Wind Farm
In 2014, Bord na Móna completed the construction of its largest Wind Farm in Mount Lucas. The Wind Farm contains 28 turbines and has the capacity to power 45,000 homes per year.
Mountlucas Wind Farm
In 2014, Bord na Móna completed the construction of its largest Wind Farm in Mount Lucas. The Wind Farm contains 28 turbines and has the capacity to power 45,000 homes per year.
Pre 1930s
Bog Commission Reports
The four reports surveyed the bogs of Ireland and recommended how they might be drained and converted for agriculture.
Bog Commission Reports
The four reports surveyed the bogs of Ireland and recommended how they might be drained and converted for agriculture.
The Ancient Past
Foot of the Tombeagh Bog Body
Around 80 bodies have been found in Irish bogs over the past two and a half centuries. A small number of these may be people who suffered ritual execution in the Iron Age.
Foot of the Tombeagh Bog Body
Around 80 bodies have been found in Irish bogs over the past two and a half centuries. A small number of these may be people who suffered ritual execution in the Iron Age.

Articles

Bord na Móna has a history spanning generations in Ireland. Read through our historic articles that bring you through the decades.

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Production Machinery

Explore the Production Machinery which aided our transition from manual to mechanised production.

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Railway

Locomotives and railway lines have been essential in hauling peat across both short and long distances from the 1920’s, and are still in use today.

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General Machinery

General machinery had to be adapted or modified in some way to be capable of working on bog land, for both production and development.

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Development Machinery

Before peat production can begin, work needs to be done on the land to ensure it is ready. This process is vital for avoiding stoppages and ensuring the maximum efficiency of production.

Explore All Development Machinery

Blog

A photo of BnM apprentices taken at Athlone RTC around 1973 or 1974. A hirsute bunch - We got this from Michael Kenny who works in Derrrygreenagh workshop.

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Schools

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Brown Gold Book

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Exhibition

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School Tours

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