President Higgins is protecting one of Ireland’s rarest species of bat

Published by Ian Carey on

June 14th 2016

Image: Donna Mullen, Bat Conservation Ireland,  presenting President Michael D Higgins with bat box.

Irish President Michael D Higgins last week accepted a gift of a bat box which could help house one of Ireland’s rarest bats.

The gift was given by Donna Mullen of Bat Conservation Ireland who hopes it will become the home of a Nathusius Pipistrelle which has been heard calling in the vicinity the President’s home in the Phoenix Park.

The Nathusius Pipistrelle is a rare bat in the Republic with no recorded breeding pairs. However a male Nathusius Pipistrelle has been recorded near Áras an Uachtaráin, Donna explains:

“We have recorded a male Nathusius within the Phoenix Park so I brought the bat box for the President so that the bat might have a home and maybe he will attract down a mate.”

The present was given at the President’s garden party for people and groups who have been involved in promoting Sustainable Development.

Representatives from each of the organisations which make up the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) were invited to the event where some 500 people took part in the festivities. Guests were given a tour of the Áras and its gardens while various musicians and musical acts played.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Attracta Uí Bhroin ELIG, Charles Stanley Smith An Taisce, Justin Byrne IEN, Olan Herr Zero Waste Alliance, Mark Boyden Coomhola Salmon Trust, Mark Keegan, Enda Buckley IEN, Ian Carey IEN, Vanessa Moore Global Action Plan, Donna Mullen Bat Conservation Ireland, Dave Brooks IEN, Oonagh Duggan BirdWatch Ireland, Fiacc O'Brolchain Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Brendan Price Irish Seal Sanctuary, Jack O’Sullivan Zero Waste Alliance, Kate McAney Vincent Wildlife Trust, Michael Ewing Environmental Pillar, Sinead O’Brien SWAN, Aedín McLoughlin Good Energies Alliance Ireland, Anja Murray IEN Director, Devyn Olson-Sawyer Cultivate, Diane Chair ELIG, Conor Mulvihill IEN, Tommy Simpson Sonairte, Marie-Amélie Brun IEN, Duncan Martin Sustainable Projects Ireland.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Attracta Uí Bhroin ELIG, Charles Stanley Smith An Taisce, Justin Byrne IEN, Olan Herr Zero Waste Alliance, Mark Boyden Coomhola Salmon Trust, Mark Keegan, Enda Buckley IEN, Ian Carey IEN, Vanessa Moore Global Action Plan, Donna Mullen Bat Conservation Ireland, Dave Brooks IEN, Oonagh Duggan BirdWatch Ireland, Fiacc O’Brolchain Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Brendan Price Irish Seal Sanctuary, Jack O’Sullivan IEN Director, Kate McAney Vincent Wildlife Trust, Michael Ewing Environmental Pillar, Sinead O’Brien SWAN, Aedín McLoughlin Good Energies Alliance Ireland, Anja Murray IEN Director, Devyn Olson-Sawyer Cultivate, Diane Chair ELIG, Conor Mulvihill IEN, Tommy Simpson Sonairte, Marie-Amélie Brun IEN, Duncan Martin Sustainable Projects Ireland.

The highlight of the afternoon was a speech given by President Higgins where he thanked those who worked towards sustainable development over the course of the last year when the UN Sustainable Development Goals were agreed by 193 countries in New York. President Higgins made the point in his speech that the science of climate change is clear and now is the time to act.

Listen here to President Higgin’s speech:

[x_author title=”About the Author”]

Related Post
Last chance to amend weak climate bill

Friends of the Earth, An Taisce, and Stop Climate Chaos lead the charge to amend the Climate Bill before it Read more

European TV station are looking for Irish people to produce a short video on climate change to air in France and Germany

TV channel ARTE are looking for Irish people to take part in a programme which will air during the COP21 Read more

The Environmental Pillar rejects eco-label given to an Irish salmon farm

The Environmental Pillar wishes to make clear to consumers and public that it rejects the awarding of an environmental certificate Read more

Calls to shorten the hedge cutting and gorse burning ban has no basis in science, say An Taisce

The environmental and heritage group are rejecting calls from the Irish Farming Association to shorten the hedge cutting times. An Read more


Ian Carey

Ian is the editor of the Green News. He works as Communications Manger with the Irish Environmental Network.