President Michael D Higgins will be a guest of honour at Abbeyleix Bog on May 25 when a five-year wetlands strategy will be launched.
Plans are now well underway for the presidential visit to the bog in Abbeyleix which is earning a reputation as one of the hidden gems of the midlands.
The new five year strategy is the culmination of work by a number of local groups over the last three years.
The president will take a walk on the bog to see first-hand the work that has been done there.
“It will be a very proud occasion,” said Chris Uys. “We couldn’t have asked for better”.
It is expected that local children will feature prominently on the day through music and poetry.
The visit will take place during national Biodiversity Week when a range of events will be held.
While details are being finalised, it is expected that President Higgins will visit during the evening.
At the recent Portlaoise Municipal District Meeting Cllr John Joe Fennelly stressed what an asset the bog in Abbeyleix is.
“I believe this is gem in the midlands and will be a major attraction,” he said.
The bog is widely used by school children and university students who conduct studies on it, he said.
Boardwalk
The boardwalk on Abbeyleix Bog is used regularly for walks by local people.
Recent voluntary work at the bog saw work undertaken to construct a new bridge.
This latest piece of infrastructure was planned to add an extra bridge and link up with existing walks.
This new addition was set to increase the loops that people can walk on in the area.
The new bog bridge connects the boardwalk on the high bog, with the loop walk on the eastern side.
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