Visit Abbeyleix Bog
The walking trails at Abbeyleix Bog are open to the public every day of the year.
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For health and safety reasons, we request that groups pre-register at info@abbeyleixbog.ie.
Directions
Abbeyleix Bog (or Killamuck Bog) is located on the southern edge of Abbeyleix town.
The entrance to the bog is located immediately south of the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. There is ample free parking around the hotel carpark.
Leave the carpark through the gap in the beech hedge, turn left and you will see an interpretative board marking the entrance to the bog.
Looking to organise a group visit or tour?
For large groups and/or guided tours, including school trips, you must first contact us for health and safety reasons. Our ability to accommodate groups is based on the number of tours and our team's availability—we thank you for your understanding!
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School visits
The Abbeyleix Bog Project works to support peatland education in a wide variety of ways.
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Since 2024, a programme of school visits for primary schools has been offered with the Heritage in Schools Scheme. ​These visits are available in May and June and are led by our Heritage in Schools Specialist, Fiona Dunne.
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The approximately 2-hour (half day) visit takes in the shorter (3.6Km) bog loop, where three of the main habitats are encountered and explored. The visit concludes with a 'Working as Scientists' session at the dipping pond and a relaxing picnic break.
The visits are limited to 30 per group — as per Heritage in School's guidelines — and are most suitable for middle and senior classes in the primary school. The Heritage in School Scheme subsidises the costs and participating schools pay a small fee. All income from this scheme is donated to the Abbeyleix Bog Project.
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A huge thanks to the principals, teachers and pupils of these schools for their enthusiastic engagement in 2025 and we look forward to hosting your schools again next year.
A safe visit to the bog
Abbeyleix Bog Project maintains two trail loops: the short loop (3.6 kilometres) and the long loop (7.5 kilometres). Both are flat trails with minimal grade changes. See our map for more details on each trail. Please note that our walkways include gravel paths and narrow bog bridges that may make access difficult for some.
We are open every day of the year, but we recommend you visit in daylight hours.
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Walk on designated walkways only. There are dangerous, deep bog drains that can be hard to see!
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No fires of any kind, including cigarettes. Peat habitats are particularly vulnerable to fire and improper disposal of cigarettes can result in bog fires!
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Dogs must always be kept on a lead and any waste removed from site. We share the bog with sensitive wildlife and other visitors, and also want to protect your pet from deep bog drains.
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Take all litter home with you.
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Respect wildlife and others. The bog is primarily a site of nature conservation.
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Facilities
There are no restroom facilities at Abbeyleix Bog.
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Car parking and cafe facilities are available at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel seven days a week.