On Wednesday, September 26th 2018, Ms. French and Third Class had a wonderful field trip to The Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore. This educational initiative was funded by Kildare County Council. The children learned about how bogs were made, the need for conservation of boglands, some interesting insect-eating plants and amphibians of boglands and how people in Ireland cut turf in the traditional way.
The turf fire was the main source of heating and cooking in
the 19th century and early 20th century Ireland. At the Bog of Allen Nature
Centre the children explored the typical interior of a traditional Irish
Cottage. The furnishings were simple and included a dresser to hold the crockery
and a settle bed placed next to the fire for extra warmth. There was no
television, people entertained themselves with story-telling, conversation and
music. The open turf fire was the heart of the home.