Dark Spirits of the Bog

The brooding presence of the bog is strongly felt when travelling across the midlands of Ireland.
http://www.bogoaksculptures.com

Once covered in ancient forests, the vast boglands have been inhabited by humans since Mesolithic times. 
The preserved bodies of these people, their homes, their offerings and ancient roadways have been unearthed from this cauldron of peat but beneath the turf lies another treasure, unique to the peat bogs of Ireland and prized for its’ strange beauty. Bog Oak.

Bog oak sculpture in St. Joseph's Square, Maynooth University.

Bog oak or bogwood describes the remains of trees preserved for over 

4,000 years and encompasses several types of wood including Oak, Yew and Pine.

'The Flight' by Larry Harney of Bog Oak Sculptures.

Bog oak is black in colour, a result of the chemical interaction between the gallic acid of the oak 

and soluble iron in the bog water. 

Bog yew polishes to a glowing red brown.

Silvered bog pine.

In the past bog pine, known as bog deal, was used to make roof-beams, torches, simple furniture and rope.

Locating the buried wood was a craft in itself and the local bogman could provide vital information before a spade was lifted.

Morning mist across the bog in Co. Offaly.

A visit would be made to the bog in the early morning and a spot where the dew or frost had disappeared indicated buried timber. This area was then explored with a long metal probe, a bior.

An experienced bogman could tell from the probe exactly what lay beneath the surface, he knew not only if the wood was undamaged but also its’ size, orientation and species.

Woodcut of a bogmen with bior.

The bog oak sculpture which greets visitors arriving at Keadue, Co. Roscommon.

Over time bog settlements grew and now villages and towns are strung out like islands across the bog.

Many choose black bog oak to announce their place in the landscape.

At Shannon Harbour the bog oak sculpture shows the confluence of the Shannon 

and Brosna rivers and the Grand Canal.

In others bog oak is used to honour the dead of the community

Pollagh, Co. Offaly. The glass tear drop inscription reads:

“A garden of beautiful memories, sprayed with a million tears.”

or to celebrate the life of a village. 

Ballinahown village fountain made from bog yew and bog oak 

by Michael Casey with Celtic Roots Studio.

In many churches locally sourced bog yew is seen as part of the sacred heart of the village.

St. Mary’s church at Pollagh. 

The altar, tabernacle, font and chair are made from bog yew and carved by Michael Casey. 

After driving across undulating bog roads, a visit to the parish church in Ferbane revealed this bog yew font, which stands like some ancient mother risen from the bog to bless her children.

Roots of a great yew over 8 foot tall, 

by Michael Casey in association with Celtic Roots Studio.

Many present day druids hold a similar belief.

Bog oak and quartz crystal wand made by Adge.

Bog oak is highly prized by sculptors for its’ hardness, beauty and primeval forms.

Each piece hides its’ true character, its' dark spirit, until the artist cleans and slowly carves to reveal the image within.

Bog oak salmon at Abbeyshrule.

Animals, mythic figures and woodland spirits, long trapped under the bog are released

‘Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge’ by Joey Burns.

‘Sinann’ Goddess of the River Shannon & ‘Pillow Talk’, based on the first chapter of the Táin.

Courtesy of Joey Burns at Irish Wood Sculpture

to be reawakened and celebrated in the landscape.

Bog oak island sculpture at Lough Boora Parklands

I was recently given a gift of this piece of bog oak and its’ true form, hidden for thousands of years, has yet to be revealed.  

Over the coming months it will be cleaned and smoothed until finally another dark spirit from the bog 

will be reborn. 

"Bog Oak Sculptures - In the Bog" - a short video by Laurence Harney.

First harvest - bringing home the turf.

We are approaching Lúnasa, the month when wild fruits and crops are gathered, yet already tractors pass by the door laden with a different sort of yield from the land.

 The turf crop © Jane Brideson

For me the first harvest of the year begins when the turf is brought home from the bog.

 The local bog with turf  'footed' to dry © Jane Brideson. 

The dry, black crop will provide fuel for a household throughout the winter months. 

A visit to the bog is a visit to a strange land, another world.
A place of deep waters, black earth and big skies. Alone there, surrounded by deep silence broken
by the call of birds and whispering wind, you can feel the age of the land and see time written in
the turf banks.

Turf bank with dark waters reflecting the sky © Jane Brideson.

Turf has been cut and used as fuel for centuries and the early inhabitants of Ireland also 

sojourned there. To our ancient ancestors the unique atmosphere and dark, still waters appear to 

have been associated with gateways to the Otherworld.  

Discoveries of objects made from precious metal, pottery and stoneware deposited in bogs may represent offerings made to the gods across the ages.

 Coggalbeg bog hoard from the early Bronze Age © 100objests.ie 

 To read the full story behind this find click HERE

These areas are still important for the people of rural Ireland, many of whom spend long hours saving turf.
On my local bog the turf is now cut by machine, rather than by hand but the process is still labour intensive, requiring good weather and the help of neighbours. 

Types of slane © connemaranews.org  

In some areas turf is still harvested using traditional methods. 

The slane is used to cut the turf into long sods, which are then spread out to dry.

Turf and golden hoards are not the only treasures to be found. 
My visit, on a fine summers' day, saw the bog coloured by heather, bog cotton and wild flowers.
The unique flora here once provided communities with herbal remedies and dubh-poill,  hole black,
a black dye used for clothing.

Turf was also understood to bring good health at calving when it was rubbed three times under the belly of a cow to protect her and her newborn calf from troubles.

Wild flowers, bog cotton & heather © Jane Brideson.

The bogs' association with the Otherworld meant that it was viewed as a source of protection against the attentions of the Good People and it was believed that scattering the ashes from a turf fire on the doorstep could prevent an unattended child from being taken by the fairies. 

Brighid's Cross made from turf © Jane Brideson.

Moulded turf is still used as protection in the form of a Brighid's Cross hung by the front door. 

Returning home from this other world visit I called in on neighbours for a chat and was given tea
and home made apple pie, then sent on my way again with gifts.

Gifts © Jane Brideson.

Freshly laid eggs & the result of last years harvest - apple jelly.

Lying in the grass was yet another gift...

Turf  by the roadside © Jane Brideson.

two sods of turf  by the side of the road which later went on the fire in the studio to fill the end
of the garden with its' distinctive scent.

 Burning turf © Jane Brideson.

Watch Jim's video on Irish TV by clicking the link below to hear his reminiscences of cutting 

and saving turf in the traditional way:

IRISH TV LINK