{"id":18855,"date":"2022-10-01T16:33:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T16:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=18855"},"modified":"2024-02-05T22:29:01","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T22:29:01","slug":"pre-bord-na-mona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-Bord na Mona"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Types_of_Peatlands\" title=\"Types of Peatlands\">Types of Peatlands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Early_Reclamation_Legislation\" title=\"Early Reclamation Legislation\">Early Reclamation Legislation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Harvesting_for_Fuel\" title=\"Harvesting for Fuel\">Harvesting for Fuel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Other_Peat_Produce\" title=\"Other Peat Produce\">Other Peat Produce<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Promoting_Peat\" title=\"Promoting Peat\">Promoting Peat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Peat_Promotion_Company\" title=\"Peat Promotion Company\">Peat Promotion Company<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/pre-bord-na-mona\/#Stimulating_Turf_Production\" title=\"Stimulating Turf Production\">Stimulating Turf Production<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Peatlands\"><\/span>Types of Peatlands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are three principal types of peatlands in Ireland.\u00a0 Fens have their origins in lakes and swamps left behind after the end of the last ice age.<\/p>\n<p>From about 7000 BC, plant remnants accumulated in the wetlands.\u00a0 The organic remains did not decompose and grew into fen peat.\u00a0Layers of peat grew thicker and plant roots could no longer reach the mineral subsoils.\u00a0 Where there was sufficient rainfall, mosses colonised the surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>From 5000 BC, there was a substantial growth in sphagnum bogs, which grew into domed raised bogs.<\/p>\n<p>Blanket bogs formed as a result of climate change around 2000 BC.\u00a0 They developed in hilly areas with heavy rainfall spreading across landscapes covering underlying rock and soil.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Reclamation_Legislation\"><\/span>Early Reclamation Legislation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The reclamation of bogs has been the subject of legislation for almost three centuries. From 1716 forward, a series of acts were passed by the Irish parliament to encourage peatland reclamation. \u00a0Numerous bills were presented to the Irish parliament to encourage bog reclamation in Ireland.<\/p>\n<p>Between 1810 and 1814, four reports under the authority of acts of parliament delineated the major bog parks and recommended how they might be drained and converted to agricultural use.<\/p>\n<p>Drainage and use of peatland for agriculture increased through the 19<sup>th<\/sup> century.\u00a0 It was effectively a desperate measure by the destitute poor to find land to farm, which they could not afford to rent.<\/p>\n<p>Once the fringe of land had become sufficiently improved to support crops or grazing, it became subject to rent.\u00a0 Impoverished tenants were pushed further and further into the bogs to recommence the process.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Harvesting_for_Fuel\"><\/span>Harvesting for Fuel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Peat has been used as a fuel for hundreds of years. \u00a0By the 17<sup>th<\/sup> century, turf was the most widely used fuel.\u00a0 By the late 18<sup>th<\/sup> century some 30,000 tons a year of turf were transported on the Grand Canal to supply the City of Dublin.<\/p>\n<p>The first industrial-scale harvesting of turf took place in Mona bog along the Shannon.\u00a0 Beginning in 1825, over 5,000 tons of turf were transported by boat to Limerick each year.<\/p>\n<p>By the early 20<sup>th<\/sup> century, the quality of available turf used in Dublin had deteriorated.\u00a0 By the end of World War I, coal outstripped turf as a form of fuel in Dublin.<\/p>\n<p>Mechanical harvesting commenced in Ireland at the beginning of the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century in experiments by the Department of Agriculture.\u00a0 By the end of the First World War, electric-powered machines were put to work on an experimental basis.\u00a0 Machine turf contracted turf to a density of half of the hand-cut turf and made it easier to transport.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Peat_Produce\"><\/span>Other Peat Produce<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the middle of the 19<sup>th<\/sup> century, the technique of compressing turf into briquettes was perfected. \u00a0A factory was established in 1860 which harvested peat by harrowing and produced a powdered form of peat.\u00a0 This was air-dried, transported by rail to the factory and further dried and compressed into briquettes.<\/p>\n<p>The upper layer of raised bogs consists of light moss peat. It is poor for fuel purposes but has other purposes such as peat moss used as livestock bedding because of its ability to absorb moisture.\u00a0 It was used principally for horses, cattle and pigs.<\/p>\n<p>Peat gas was used in the 19<sup>th<\/sup> and early 20<sup>th<\/sup> century to produce chemicals, candle wax and gaslight.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promoting_Peat\"><\/span>Promoting Peat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By the early 20<sup>th<\/sup> century, the awareness of turf as a fuel source increased and a move against developing peatland as agriculture ceased. \u00a0At various times when coal was scarce due to strikes or other reasons, peat was used increasingly as a fuel.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction undertook studies and reports on the manufacture of peat fuel. The rebel Dail government established a national commission of enquiry into resources and industries in June 1919.<\/p>\n<p>The Dail Peat Committee published a report in 1921. It recommended the acquisition of bogs, conducting experiments on drainage, purchase of automatic machines, establishment of peat-powered electricity stations and acquisition by the State of all larger bog lands.<\/p>\n<p>The first major electric plant in Ireland was the 13kV plant in Hawkins Street in Dublin, built by the gas company. \u00a0By the 1920s, there were 160 different electricity undertakings in Ireland. There were some early moves to generate electricity from peat.\u00a0 \u00a0A Private act of parliament was passed to authorise the development of bogs in Leinster for electricity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Peat_Promotion_Company\"><\/span>Peat Promotion Company<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Fianna Fail government came to office in 1932 amid a wave of protectionism internationally. It sought to create a number of native industries, including the Irish Sugar Company and the Irish Chemical Company.\u00a0 This coincided with the commencement of a so-called land war in relation to land purchase annuities with the United Kingdom, which led to a 20% tax on agricultural exports from Ireland to the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>The Government sought to develop the native fuel resources of the State in view of the high price of coal reinforced by a levy on imported coal. A proposal to build a briquette factory was made by investors connected to the PECO company.\u00a0 The government with ported the project and the PECO Company was formed and acquired Lullymore bog with\u00a0the intention of building a briquette factory.<\/p>\n<p>The Peat Fuel Company \u00a0Limited was incorporated in 1934 with the assistance of government finance. \u00a0It struggled in its early years for financial and technical reasons and received further financial assistance from the State in 1937. The Lullymore project proved an important learning experience in the development of briquette plants. It introduced milled peat and developed certain equipment and machinery particular to Irish needs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stimulating_Turf_Production\"><\/span>Stimulating Turf Production<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A scheme was established to stimulate private turf production, establish standards, fix prices and organise distribution.\u00a0 The government decided to implement the scheme (circa 1933) through the Irish Co-operative Society. \u00a0180 cooperative societies were established for marketing turf.\u00a0 Road building and drainage works were undertaken by engineers employed by the Department of Industry and Commerce.<\/p>\n<p>Co-operative turf societies were formed where bogs could provide a sufficient supply of turf.\u00a0 A society must have at least 50 members who cut turf. The schemes were intended to a significant extent to relieve rural employment and operated between 1932 and 1939.<\/p>\n<p>The turf was stacked and fenced by the turf scheme.\u00a0 Turf scheme-built sheds purchased turf at a fixed price. The scheme sold the turf to the public.\u00a0 Turf was required to meet certain standards.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-18855\" data-postid=\"18855\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-18855 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Types of Peatlands There are three principal types of peatlands in Ireland.\u00a0 Fens have their origins in lakes and swamps left behind after the end of the last ice age. From about 7000 BC, plant remnants accumulated in the wetlands.\u00a0 The organic remains did not decompose and grew into fen peat.\u00a0Layers of peat grew thicker [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[197],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18855"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18855"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31532,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18855\/revisions\/31532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}