An Creagán Peatland
Interpretive Centre

EPIC Heritage Consulting was commissioned by An Creagán Centre in partnership with Ulster Wildlife to design an interpretive experience for a new Peatland Interpretive Centre in Omagh. The project, conducted between October 2024 and January 2025, aimed to elevate public understanding of peatlands as vital ecological and cultural landscapes. The total contract value was £7,957.00 plus €428.40 for travel and subsistence.

The central concept, themed “Bringing the Outside In,” was inspired by Seamus Heaney’s poem Bogland and sought to position peatlands as living, multi-layered environments rich in biodiversity, folklore, and history. EPIC’s scope of work included interpretive planning, stakeholder and audience consultation, conceptual and narrative design, budgeting, 3D visualisations, and high-level cost planning to support funding applications.

Key design elements included the use of moss walls, peat cores, macro photography, and immersive soundscapes indoors to simulate the tactile and visual richness of bog environments. Outdoor interpretive panels and accessible trails extended the experience beyond the building. The design was multi-sensory and media-rich, integrating digital, physical, visual, and audio components to engage diverse audiences, including students, researchers, tourists, and community members.

A critical part of the process was collaborative consultation with Ulster Wildlife, educators, and local stakeholders, ensuring that community values and educational priorities were deeply embedded in the interpretive strategy. The content addressed diverse themes such as climate change resilience, biodiversity, water purification, archaeology, and local folklore. EPIC placed a strong emphasis on accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability, adapting interpretation methods to suit varying visitor needs.

The design strategy demonstrated a balance between creativity and functionality, echoing EPIC’s previous work on heritage-focused projects like the Lady’s Island and Michael Davitt Museum. These parallels reinforced the firm's capacity to integrate ecological storytelling with cultural heritage in compelling, visitor-centred exhibitions.

Ultimately, EPIC’s contribution transformed An Creagán into a potential national model for peatland education and interpretation, blending environmental science with cultural heritage in a cohesive and engaging format that aligns with community and conservation goals.