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Tapestry of Light – Ireland’s bogs and wetlands as never seen before

Tapestry of Light Silver netting of the dawn, Embroidered through the silent night, Woven into dewy webs, Suspended tapestry of light. Cobwebs greet the morning air, Strings of priceless jewels glistening, Veiling gateway, bush and tree, Lending wonder to our waking. Nature’s gift holds me enthralled, Treasure of the dawning day, Till the fairy breezes call, tealing all my dreams away

© JOHN SHEAHAN

Tapestry of Light – Ireland’s bogs and wetlands as never seen before by Tina Claffey and published by Artisan House Connemara was launched on Thursday, 12th October, 2017 in Tailor’s Hall, Dublin.

Tapestry of Light is a stunningly beautiful book containing Tina Claffey’s unique perspective of the flora and fauna of the unspoilt raised bogs and wet woodlands of the Irish midlands. The habitat value of raised bogs arises from their rich diversity of flora such as bog-rosemary, cranberries, lichens and sundews, all of which thrive in the sphagnum mosses which also support a wide variety of fauna, including butterflies, moths, dragonflies, frogs and spiders.

TAPESTRY-OF-LIGHT-cover-220mm-x-260mm — TAPESTRY-OF-LIGHT-cover

The foreword to Tapestry of Light is by geologist, botanist and broadcaster, Dr John Feehan. The title ‘Tapestry of Light’ is taken from the eponymous poem by John Sheahan. John’s poetry is included in the book.

Tina’s interest in her home area and in particular the bogs and wetlands, she attributes to the influence of her father, to whom the book is dedicated, and to time spent in Botswana photographing pristine wilderness. ‘On my return to Ireland, I felt quite lost for some time but then I went on a field walk led by John Feehan in Killaun Bog. That walk was an epiphany for me. Here on my doorstep was a wilderness with as much significance as the Kalahari desert’.

Tapestry of light - Four Spot Chaser - Copy — Tapestry of light – Four Spot Chaser

Matthijs Schouten, ecologist and founder of the Dutch Foundation for the Conservation of Irish Bogs, launched the book, saying ‘Never before have I seen the magic of bogs captured so beautifully as in this book. The photographs and poems lead us into a truly enchanted world’.

Matthijs Schouten is Professor of restoration ecology at Wageningen University and also an adjunct professor at UCC, he became known as “the father of bog conservation in Ireland” and was knighted in 2004 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for the prominent role he played in bringing the fate of Irish bogs to international attention. The foundation raised sufficient funds in the late 1980s to purchase three endangered sites – Scragh Bog, in Co Westmeath; Cummeragh River bog, in Co Kerry, and Clochar na gCon bog, in Co Galway – and gifted them to the Irish nation.

The book is available in two editions, a standard hardback edition and a special limited edition of 75 copies which contains gatefolds and an original print signed, dated and numbered by Tina Claffey which is suitable for framing. www.tinaclaffey.com

ALL PHOTOS © TINA CLAFFEY

Tapestry of Light - Devils Matchsticks — Tapestry of Light – Devils Matchsticks

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Ecology Unit

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The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Unit is involved in assessing the ecological health of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. We work with our partners to ensure that the information we collect can be used to improve our knowledge and understanding of Ireland’s aquatic environment.

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The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

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The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.