Innovative bat facility being planned for Offaly town

AN INNOVATIVE environmental project is being planned for Edenderry, a marvellous idea which hopefully will inspire other communities across the Midlands to follow suit.
At the beginning of September, Offaly Biodiversity Officer Ricky Whelan updated an Offaly County Council Strategic Policy Committee meeting regarding a proposed Bat House for Blundell Park.
Ricky told the meeting that the Bat House was designed by Offaly County Council staff and is based on an adapted version of the Vincent Wildlife Trust (Lesser Horseshoe Bat) Bat House design. The House is designed to provide roosting opportunities for common bat species in Ireland who sometimes depend on man-made structures for roosting. While allowing access to bats, nesting birds and other species will not be able to enter. It will be located near Blundell Wood in Edenderry and will cost about €25,000. The SPC members welcomed this initiative and thanked Ricky for his presentation.
Speaking to the Tribune this week, Ricky said “Ground will be broken before the end of the year and the House will be up and running early in 2026.”
Ricky said he worked with Edenderry Municipal District colleagues to find a suitable location for the Bat Roost House in Blundell Park. The structure will be positioned in the park between the existing skatepark and the park's boundary with Woodfield/Blundell Wood residential areas. The design team had expert guidance. The structure will have a 3m x 3m footprint and will be just shy of 4m at its highest point. It will be block built with a cement finish. It will be completed by a local contractor.
“The Bat House will be the first of its kind in Offaly,” commented Ricky, “and will be a fantastic benefit to local native wildlife, improving the park for biodiversity and delivering on many aims of the Offaly Biodiversity Action Plan. The bat house will complement the plans for a community garden which will be close by, as bats eat a significant number of 'pest' insect species. It is hoped that the structure will be finished with a wildlife mural akin to those on the nearby community cabin. We plan to host bat walks and talks from spring 2026 following the completion of the project.
“Blundell Park is the ideal location for the Bat House. We know there is a lot of bat activity in the area. The park links to the wider Offaly countryside via the Grand Canal which acts as a huge wildlife corridor bringing bats and other biodiversity right into this wonderful urban green space.”
If people are curious and want more information, they can contact Ricky at biodiversity@offalycoco.ie.

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