Footing the turf

 Tommy and  the turf we cut- left to dry until next week ready for footing

A Day in the Bog.

In school we had watched the DVD where three generations of the Healy family  were cutting turf in the bog.


In geography and science we had studied the flora and fauna of the bog but Tommy Healy made our understanding come to life.

Thanks to Tommy,our visit was quite memorable.

Cutting with a sleán

He demonatrated and explained the traditional skills of cutting turf.

Tossing onto turf bank

We all got the chance to cut turf and foot the turf.
He made us all feel welcome talking about life in the past where many of our Grandparents used to work like him cutting turf.

We divided up into 4 groups
While one group was busy cutting with a sleán - Anna and Abbie brought their own from home, others were footing the turf that Tommy had cut last week.
Then another group explored the sounds and sights of the bog. One group discovered three different types of lichen- matchstick, cup and bearded.
We heard the skylark but failed to see where it was hovering overhead.

Learning how to foot the turf

upclose to matchstick lichen

There was plenty of sphagnum moss. Beware it is wet where this moss grows.

Bearded lichen

Dotted around the bog was lots of bog cotton with bell and ling heathers growing along side

Footing turf- wet side up

We examined the turf bank and saw many layers of the bog created over thousands of years.

Thanks boys great work

Yum

All work and no play... not quite.

Happy Birthday

We celebrated Aoibheann's birthday with a cake and unlit candles-(the breeze kept blowing out the candles!)

Lunch Break

Dirty hands was fun

Thanks to all who came, Willie, David and Ciara but especially Tommy who made it all possible.

Any sign of a watch??

This is heavy.

Time for a chat

Tommy's Dog

Completing worksheets

Studying the flora

Paperwork

Outdoor classroom - studying a turf bank up close



Thanks to all for a super time in the bog