Heartland, a Bord na Móna exhibition, celebrates 75 years of progress, innovation, pioneering work and community involvement.  It charts the history of the company, current day activities and its plans for a sustainable future.

The anniversary highlights the position that Bord na Móna has held in Irish society over the past 75 years from its inception at the creation of the Turf Development Board in 1934.  Bord na Móna has been a pioneer and innovator in the face of challenge.  It demonstrates this tradition in the present day and it is inbuilt into its plans for the future.

Environment

Our landscape heritage has allowed us to re-discover our peatland as a valuable resource and highlighted the need to continually understand them in this way. Many people, dating as far back as the 1930’s had ideas and visions regarding use of peatlands and their after use, the list include locals, entrepreneurs and even governments.

Culture

Bogs have inspired poetry, provided a link to the past and a home for wildlife.  Connections between our bogs and art & literature are clearly seen, from sculptures to poetry, from bog butter to Mesolithic artefacts

Work

For most people Bord na Mona symbolised a working life. Many of the images represent the tools used as part of working life in the early years, their developments and the move to a more mechanised processes.

Development

Bord na Mona developed over a long period of time with its origins in the Turf Development Board, 1934, many changes occurred for it to develop into the company it is today including the building & shaping of the work force.

Innovation

Bord na Mona  always had a strong presence in the area of innovation, pioneers of research.  Early days of innovation lead to the first experimental station, with the company having global links as far back as 1954. Innovation has continued with latest development of Innovation Centres in 2008.

Community

Bord na Mona not only provided employment, it built communities. Bord na Mona built camps and hostels at many locations, followed by houses for employees across the midlands as the seasonal work reduced. Community nowadays involves biodiversity & peatlands, care for nature and the environment within its existing communities.

Future

For the future Bord na Mona will work to develop a sustainable business, strategically, commercially and operationally whilst dealing with issues such as: carbon management, waste and resource management, energy generation, biodiversity and land management, and environmental products.