Bogs of Ireland

A large portion of the land we visited had extensive areas of bog,or peat , or turf as the Irish call it. The depth of the bogs varies from a few feet to 20 or more. A large number of Irish artifacts have been found in them-jewelry, tools, and even completely clother bodies-having been well preserved. Our guide said the bogs "grow" at the rate of three feet per 1000 years. The mosses and grass die, decompose and the bog "grows".

The pictures show a man cutting peat (turf) by hand. He then places it in rows, turning it every three weeks until it dries completely. It is stored in a dry area to be used as fuel. At one time it was even used as insulation in the houses.