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This place should be held up to the world as a shining example of how to preserve and present pieces of heritage.

When, during peat cutting, another buried wooden trackway was uncovered it was recognised as something special. Excavations began and shortly a criss-crossed network of upto 57 different tracks spanning from Neolithic hurdle tracks to the main attraction - a 1km long wooden track dating back to 148bce (dendro dated). This track proved to be a large enigma. It is the widest of its kind so far uncovered in Europe, but its purpose remains a mystery. It traverses a section of raised bog from one edge to an 'island' of higher ground - Corlea - or the Grey Mound.

The trackway is wide enough to take carts, but saw very little use, having hardly any signs of wear upon it. This prompted a few questions, not least of which is ... Why was it built if it wasn't used? Was it a ceremonial track? Here we go again, "Can't Quite Understand" = "Ritual Site", but you have to admit upon consideration it does seem peculiar.

Once the excavations were completed an 18m length of the track's timbers were preserved. A purpose built centre was erected over the original location and then the trackway was put back exactly where it was. It was constructed by laying tree trunks along the route and then placing transverse oak planks across these: This gives the impression of a train track upside down. Mortices were then cut into the ends of most of the planks and pegs were driven down into the bog to stabilise it.

Oddly no piles were erected to support this massive structure and so it sank below the surface of the bog within 10 years. This adds to the theory that it could have been built for a one off use or at least just a limited period of usage.

Sadly, because this is built 'in situ' the centre is remote. This makes visitor number very low. Newgrange sees 1000s of visitors every day, Corlea gets just 6000 during the 6 months it is open each year.

As someone wrote in the guestbook - "This is Ireland's best kept secret." Well, one of them anyway.

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