The discovery has also highlighted the conflicting realities of cultural conservation and the proposed development of a wind farm by partners Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables on this vast bogland. Aoife Phelan, a local teacher and PRO of the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group. The holy well near the St Mella’s oratory site on the St Manchan Lemanaghan monastery grounds in Co Offaly. She stresses that locals are very concerned about the proposed development of the wind farm and its impact on the landscape. “A voluntary committee got together to save an ancient large-scale fort, hardly recognisable with bushes, foliage and brambles,” she says.

Source: The Irish Times February 11, 2026 05:01 UTC