Image of bats is improving

LONG before Hollywood began to associate bats with blood-sucking vampires and drive the fear of God into people, bats had a poor public image.

In Europe, in the Middle Ages, for example, bats were blamed for the spread of disease and they are still persecuted in some parts of the continent.

In Ireland, however, the general perception of bats has improved and the positive role of the bat is being highlighted. Special provision is also being made for bat roosts in the design of roads and bridges, while the use of abandoned houses and old farm buildings for roosts is also encouraged.