nature

Lough Boora announced as Finalist in 2014 Web Awards

Posted on by Neil Farrell

The Lough Boora Discovery Park website has been announced as a Finalist in the Best Practice category for this year’s Web Awards, which take place at Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday 22 October 2014.

The new Lough Boora Discovery Park website was launched in early August 2014 as part of a Bord na Móna initiative to increase awareness of the park as a free amenity in the heart of Ireland that offers something for everyone.

The website highlights the activities that are available for all ages and abilities, with information about the park’s nature and biodiversity, history and the story of Bord na Móna. The new website testing.loughboora.com encourages users to visit Lough Boora Discovery Park, discover and explore all this amenity has to offer.

The 2014 Web Awards take place at Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday 22 October 2014.

For more information, visit testing.loughboora.com and connect with us on Twitter @loughboorapark, Facebook and YouTube.

Offaly Walking Festival

Posted on by Neil Farrell

As part of the Offaly Walking Festival 2014, a dusk to dark walk will take place at Lough Boora Discovery Park on Friday 10 October 2014 from 6.30pm.

Walkers are invited to join us for an amazing nature experience full of sights and sounds as night falls. Bring a torch and your walking shoes and meet at the new Visitor Centre car park to explore the soft bog land underfoot during this hour long moderate walk.

For further information, download the Offaly Walking Festival 2014 [PDF] contact the Kilcormac Development Association on 057 9135445 or email kdaoffice@eircom.net.

Walking at Lough Boora Discovery Park

Lough Boora Discovery Park offers trails ranging from a short stroll to longer treks to take you through our diverse amenities. All routes start and end at the new Visitor Centre, with a level walking landscape that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

The park’s walks are rated as easy, so mildly challenged walkers can estimate distances using the scales listed. This is advisable so as to ensure walkers can pace themselves comfortably.

The park is in a continuous state of flux depending on the season. Birds depart or arrive, breed and rear their young. Plants flower and fungi appear and disappear, while the resident animals go about their lives. The varying sights, sounds and smells ensure a walk through Lough Boora always has something new, exciting and interesting to offer.

Discover Lough Boora’s walking trails in your own time, year round.

Sculpture Park tribute for artist Jean Conroy

Posted on by Neil Farrell

A Sculpture Park tribute for artist Jean Conroy was held by the Art Hedge School at Lough Boora Discovery Park on Sunday 28 September 2014.

The event was organised by Sinead O’Reilly, Arts Officer with Offaly County Council and was hosted by fellow Sculptor, Tom Mescall, who worked with Jean over the years prior to her passing.

Approximately 30 adults and children joined in crafted temporary art pieces made from the natural materials found around The Boora Pyramid sculpture. This was the fourth year the Art Hedge School gathered at Lough Boora.

An image of one of the works of art made from natural materials at Lough Boora Discovery Park as part of a tribute to Jean Conroy on Sunday 28 September 2014.
An image of one of the works of art made from natural materials at Lough Boora Discovery Park as part of a tribute to Jean Conroy on Sunday 28 September 2014.
An image of one of the works of art made from natural materials at Lough Boora Discovery Park as part of a tribute to Jean Conroy on Sunday 28 September 2014.

Additional photos from the tribute can be found on the Lough Boora Discovery Park Facebook Page.