Main content

Secrets in the Peat

The story of peatlands, their cultural, economic and environmental significance. From serving as a fuel supply to inspiring artists and discovering medicines.

The story of peatlands around the world. They have inspired myths, legends, poems and songs for centuries, and many families spent days on end in their own bog, cutting turf to fuel the home fires.

Cormac 脫 h脕dhmaill explores the cultural, economic and environmental significance of peatlands, from how the Dutch dug deep for their fuel supply to how the bogs preserved our ancestors, as evidenced by Old Croghan Man. He meets those advocating for the peat industry to continue in Finland and also the scientists looking for medicine within bog plants in Ireland. We hear of the devastating effects of bog slides and bog fires, and we visit a Dutch city which is sinking into its peaty soil.

Peatlands play an important role in the delicate balance of the world鈥檚 ecosystem, covering a mere three per cent of the earth but storing more carbon than all the world鈥檚 forests. We meet those who are working to restore the world鈥檚 peatlands, including Line Rochefort, a Canadian bog restoration expert who shows her methods of replanting sphagnum.

5 months left to watch

58 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Jun 2024 22:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Cormac 脫 h脕dhmaill
Director Trevor Laffey
Producer Caitriona Ni Chadhain
Series Producer M谩ire Bhreathnach
Executive Producer Michael Fanning

Broadcast

  • Sun 9 Jun 2024 22:00

Featured in...