OPW to 'advertise' attic space for bats after extensive works at top Laois attraction

The OPW has been advised to “advertise” attic space to bats once its extensive roof works are completed on the historic Emo Court House in Laois. 

A major programme of conservation and restoration works has been approved at the top tourist attraction was approved by Laois County Council subject to seven conditions.  

The presence of colonies of wild bats in the attic had put a question mark over the proposed works and a company was hired to carry out an ecological survey.

One of the key mitigation measures they proposed in the survey was to “advertise” the attic space to bats with “Batlures” and “Bat-spinners” and playing bat social calls once the work is complete. 

The Commissioner of Public Works had applied for permission to carry out works including on roof sections, the facade, windows and the copper dome. 

The extensive programme of works seeks to weatherproof the 18th century house and return some of its original features to how they would have first looked when it was designed by renowned architect James Gandon. 

Once the largest country estate in Ireland, Emo Court and Estate 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. 

Some works undertaken at the Emo Court House in recent years were harshly criticised due to their potential impact on protected bat species in the house.

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.

The approved Emo Court House plans were 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) over a year 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. 

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, but 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 stated. 

According to the FERS report: “The primary mitigation measure post works, which will be subject to input/conditioning from NPWS will be to ensure that the attic spaces remain available to bats post-works. Brown Long-eared Bats are very roost-loyal and are likely to return to the roost. Following the completion of all roof-works, the availability of the attic space will be “advertised” through the use of a Batlure and Bat-spinner, playing back social calls of the bats in order to encourage the bats to explore the space.” 

The  approved development to Emo Court House, a protected structure (RPS 412A), under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, consists of the conservation of the roof structures and facade fabric.

The application seeks the “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.” 

Laois Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State for Finance, Sean Fleming, welcomed the planning approval by Laois County Council.

"I welcome the approval of these works for Emo Court House, which is now one of the Midland’s leading tourist attractions. These improvement works will preserve Emo Court House for many generations to come.

"Emo Court House is a great asset to the Midlands, to Laois and to the local community. It is a great place to visit and enjoy the lake and woodland walks or visit the House to see the fantastic building and architecture," Minister Fleming said.