AI2Peat Wins Research Ireland Prize for Future Digital Challenge
Thursday, 18 September, 2025
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The AI2Peat project, co-led by iCRAG researcher Dr Eoghan Holohan, UCD School of Earth Science, has been awarded a prestigious Research Ireland prize under the National Challenge Fund’s Future Digital Challenge.
The announcement was made by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, who confirmed over €2.5 million in prize funding for the winning AI2Peat and DRIVE teams.
AI2Peat (All-Ireland, AI-enhanced Peatland Monitoring Platform ) harnesses satellite imagery, machine learning models, and ecological data to monitor the condition of Ireland’s raised bogs at scale. By producing ecological maps that reflect peatland health, the platform provides an essential decision-support tool for national restoration and conservation efforts.
The project is jointly led by Dr Corrado Grappiolo (UCD School of Computer Science and CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for Applied AI) and Dr Eoghan Holohan (UCD School of Earth Sciences and iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences). The team also works closely with Dr Shane Regan, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, serving as Societal Impact Champion.
Professor Sarah A. Gleeson, Director of iCRAG and Professor in Sustainability Geoscience at UCD, highlighted the significance of the award:
“The success of the AI2Peat team shows how geoscience research can directly support Ireland’s climate and biodiversity goals. We are proud to contribute to this pioneering project, and delighted to see Dr Eoghan Holohan and colleagues recognised through this prize, which highlights the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.”
Speaking about the award, Dr Holohan said:
“AI2Peat is an excellent example of what can be achieved when geoscience, ecology, and AI research work hand in hand with national agencies. This prize funding will allow us to further scale the platform and provide tools that make a real difference to Ireland’s peatland restoration goals.”
