An Arctic Peat in Ireland

Abstract

IT has often been stated, and is very generally believed, that no deposits analogous to the Arctic peats of Scotland occur in Ireland. The proximity of the two countries is so great, however, that climatic conditions which affected Scotland must have affected at least the northern portions of Ireland in a similar degree, and it is not surprising, therefore, that an Irish Arctic peat, or something approaching one, has at last been discovered. This peat bed in question is situated on the boundary between the counties Dublin and Wicklow, on the eastern slopes of the Dublin mountains. Locally the place is known as Ballybetagh and Mulligan's Bogs, the former lying in Dublin, the latter in Wicklow. Both bogs have long been famous for the vast quantity of remains of the so-called Irish elk, which has been found beneath them.