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About
the site
Discovered in
1977 the Lough Boora Mesolithic site is one of the most important
archaeological finds in Ireland. Further information can be found
in the Parklands Heritage section.
"Dwellings"
Four Sculptures by Greenmantle
"Dwellings" is a series of sculptural constructions
built site specifically on location at Boora Parklands. There are
four pieces which can be discovered along the walk in to the mesolithic
site. All the work uses locally gathered natural raw materials.
These materials have been used by man, since earliest times, to
make structures to protect themselves from the elements. The building
techniques are taken from tradition and the forms are inspired by
the local environment.
"Shelter"
A construction using a piece of bog oak as a central spire, with
a variety of coppiced woods woven to form a canopy on one side.
While functioning as a shelter from the west wind blowing across
the bog, the piece symbolises the layers of time illustrated through
the useful plants that have grown in this area over the last 8000
years.
"Turf
House"
The inner structure is made from woven willow and birch stakes.
This is clad with turf cut from the bog and the top is thatched
with heather. These materials were frequently used by turf cutters
to make shelters when working out on the bog. The structure is lit
inside by a small sky-hole and port-hole windows, revealing the
basketry.
"Spiral
Lattice"
Made from willow using a variety of weaving techniques and patterns.
The path into the centre leads us around in a spiral, representing
the many snail shells found on the mesolithic site. Nomadic cultures
throughout the world and throughout time are symbolised by the snail
who carries his home on his back.
"Dome"
This sculpture represents a meeting place or ceremonial house. It
is made from woven willow and hazel using techniques that are as
old as the site itself. Hazel would have been the main tree growing
in the area during mesolithic times. We prepared and tanned the
deerskins ourselves and painted them to illustrate different aspects
of Boora over the last 8000 years.
Go
to "click thos see pics" section above to view the sculptures
Flora
and fauna of interest
Flora
Over 1000 plants
of Marsh helleborine grow in the vicinity of the Mesolithic plaque
and several other orchid species occur including the Fragrant, Common
spotted and Butterfly orchid.
To the West
of the Mesolithic site and storm-beach lie the remains of a bog
lake which was drained by Bord na Mona in the 1950s. The bed of
this former lake supports an-open birch woodland, dry Purple moor-grass
grassland and Black bog-rush / saw sedge fen. Saw-sedge fens are
listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive and require protection.
The most conspicuous species found are Black bog-rush, Common Butterwort;
Saw-sedge, Ling heather and Purple moor-grass.
Fauna
To date, the long-eared owl and whinchat have been identified as
breeding at the Lough Boora Mesolithic site. A number of other species
are also thought to be breeding in the area including whitethroat,
reed bunting, grasshopper warbler and woodcock. .
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