History and uses of peat
| Postcard
made from peat |
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History of peat use in Ireland
In Ireland peatlands are a characteristic part of the landscape
and over the years have been used for a variety of purposes.
Peatland mammals, birds and wild berries would have provided
a source of food for the Stone Age people who arrived in
Ireland 6,000 years ago. The Stone Age people also brought
livestock to Ireland and would probably have utilised peatlands
for grazing, a practice that continues today on upland bogs.
In Ireland the first written records of peat being used
as a source of fuel date back to the 7th century but evidence
suggests that peat was being used before then. Throughout
the 18th and 19th centuries a number of alternative uses
for peat were developed including the manufacture of wrapping
paper and postcards from peat fibre.
In general the lower layers of peatlands yielded peat which
was used for fuel. The upper layers, of raised bogs in particular,
were used to produce peat moss which had a number of uses.
Some of the major uses of peat in Ireland and also in European
countries are outlined below:
