Emo Court House's bats could be spanner in planned works

Bats in the attic could put a spanner in the works for planned construction at Emo Court House. 

A planning application has been lodged with Laois County Council to carry out extensive but primarily conservation works at the historic State run property. 

The popular local landmark which was designed by eminent architect James Gandon, is in the care of the Office of Public Works(OPW) since 1994. Once the largest country estate in Ireland, it is now one of Ireland’s leading tourist attractions. 

Latest figures show 350,000 people visited Emo Court in 2022 and it ranked in the top 10 free visitor sites operated by the OPW. 

However, works undertaken at the Emo Court House in recent years were harshly criticised due to their potential impact on protected bat species living in the property.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service(NPWS) inspected the property in late 2019 amid claims that work had been carried out to the basement without the appropriate derogation from the NPWS. This led to criticism of the OPW, both from politicians and from the Irish Wildlife Trust.

New plans lodged with Laois County Council for Emo Court House are accompanied by an ecological impact assessment of the attic and second floor works. 

The assessment was carried out by FERS (Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd) on behalf of the OPW.

 “The purpose of the survey was to establish if existing attic spaces are being utilised by bats in advance of a comprehensive roof replacement and refurbishment package of works, which are currently at design stage. Bat passes of six species were recorded, the vast majority of which were of Brown Long-eared and Whiskered Bat,” the assessment noted. 

FERS undertook a  year-long survey of the attic and second floor of Emo Court. 

It  indicated that the space is used all year-round, primarily by a small population of Brown Long-Eared Bats. There was no evidence of a maternity colony present, although it is likely that individuals may move between the basement roost habitat and the second floor/attic.

“The numbers of Brown Long-eared bats varies likely between 10 and 15 individuals, with other species observed using the habitat irregularly including Soprano Pipistrelle and Whiskered Bat,” the assessment states.  

“Any works to the roof/attic/second floor will require application for a derogation licence from NPWS. The Wildlife Licensing Unit have adopted a new policy for all derogation licences issued under Regulation 54 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011,” the assessment states. 

The plans lodged with Laois County Council are extensive and include conservation of the roof and facade of the protected building.  

They are outlined as follows:  “Conservation of the Michael Scott designed roof structure, including reinstatement of the original south elevation, installation of new zinc roof deck closely following the original design, renewal of flat roof structures and the conservation of existing steel windows. Renewal of the natural copper to the 19th-century dome. Reinstatement of original roof pitches and profiles to the east and west wing roofs, along with the renewal of all natural slate and subsidiary roof coverings. Installation of two automatic opening vents to the east wing and central flat roofs. Conservation of facade fabric includes repairs to high-level stonework, including decorative stone cornices, corbelling, friezes and column capital. Installation of a new lead weathering over the parapet and projecting stone cornices. Repair of the semi-circular balustrade over the eastern elevation, along with removal of inappropriate cementitious render and conservation of chimney stacks.”

The plan, lodged in the name of Albert Jordan, has been deemed an incomplete application by Laois County Council.