Why humans are the biggest threat to Ireland's swallows

Threatening their continued presence in Ireland is the incessant destruction of habitat and widespread demise of the flying insects upon which they feed.

for Outdoors Beautiful nestling barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) sitting on a cable after the rain. 

THE vexed question of the Department of Agriculture ban against swallows nesting in dairies arose when I was chatting with a farmer over the weekend. He’s at his wit’s end to keep a particular pair of birds out of the dairy. 

Whenever the door is opened, even if only long enough to allow him or his wife to enter, they appear out of nowhere and rocket inside.