A new temporary exhibition at the National Library of Ireland explores the history of the Irish Bogs Commission and how its 19th-century maps are now shaping the future of Ireland’s peatlands.

Peatlands are among the world’s most vital carbon stores and play a crucial role in climate regulation. But when they’re drained, they lose their carbon sink potential and unique biodiversity and contribute to climate change. In Ireland, peatland drainage for agriculture and industry has shaped the landscape for centuries. Now, as part of national efforts to combat climate change, restoration of these ecosystems is a top priority.

To support this goal, the RePEAT project – a collaboration between historians, geographers, and ecologists – is reevaluating Ireland’s peatlands through historical maps. By digitising and analysing the early 19th-century Bog Commission maps, which were originally created to facilitate the drainage of Ireland’s bogs, researchers can reconstruct the extent of peatlands before industrial intervention. This allows for new insights into land use, climate impacts, and potential restoration pathways.

Learn more on the NLI’s website: https://www.nli.ie/news-stories/stories/mapping-past-shaping-future