In this episode we hear from Pat Dooley, as shares his experiences and insights about working the bogs over the years. He shares some fascinating stories, such as the discovery of bog butter preserved in the bog, the introduction of new machinery and one of the hazards of working on the bog – the risk of machinery sinking. We hear how machinery can sink up to 15 feet overnight, making it difficult for workers to retrieve them.

Pat says working on the bog at night time can be a daunting task, when you're working in the dark. He laughs as he tells of the ghost stories told during tea break about the strange occurrences that happen in the bog at night. The glowing lights seen hovering above the bog that have been the subject of many superstitions and ghost stories over the years. The phenomenon is the appearance of will-o'-the-wisps and jack-o-lanterns, that many believed were the work of mischievous spirits, leading unsuspecting workers off the safety of the paths and into the treacherous bog waters. However Pat explains, these lights were simply caused by the combustion of gases escaping from the bog, reacting with oxygen in the air.

Join Pat for an informative and entertaining journey into the world of working on the Bord na Móna bogs.

This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service