Bats

Ireland is currently home to nine species of bat. All our bats are totally harmless, much smaller than people imagine and very dependent on humans for their survival. All Irish bats eat insects; some prefer chunky beetles and moths while others, such as the pipistrelles, catch large numbers of small flies and midges. However, during winter when insects are scarce, Irish bats hibernate; they lower their body temperature and heart beat, which enables them to survive for periods without feeding

Bat Conservation Ireland http://www.batconservationireland.org/