Working together to safeguard the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland
Farmers, farming advisors, and conservationists met in Limerick to share knowledge on safeguarding one of Ireland’s rarest and most fascinating mammals — the lesser horseshoe bat.
The event, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), provided farm advisors with the latest information on the species and practical steps for supporting its conservation.
Speakers included representatives from DAFM, NPWS, ACRES groups, Bat Conservation Ireland, The Rivers Trust, Forest Service, O’Donnell Environmental, and Bat Eco Services. Each highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors in ensuring the survival of this protected bat.
Farmers also played a key role in the workshop, sharing their first-hand experiences of farming with nature. Arnold Acheson, a participant in the Mulkear EIP Project, took participants on a tour of the bat house built on his land, while Alan Daly spoke about his own efforts to create wildlife-friendly practices on his farm.
Workshop delegates visit an example of a new bat roost for lesser horseshoe bats ©Kate McAney
This successful workshop is a positive step towards raising awareness of practical solutions to support Ireland's lesser horseshoe bat population. Following the success of the Limerick event, VWT plans to host workshops aimed at empowering farmers and other landowners with practical knowledge to protect this species.