Heavin urges participation in Westmeath surveys on barn owls and thatched buildings

Two recently-launched heritage surveys in Westmeath, which will document thatched buildings and the prevalence of barn owls in the county, have been welcomed by Athlone Green Party councillor Louise Heavin.

"Thatched buildings and barn owls are really important parts of our history and environment," said Cllr Heavin, who encouraged people to get involved in the two initiatives.

"The more people that can take part the more successful this will be, and I encourage all members of the public to get involved in reporting. It's important we cherish these great elements of our heritage," said the councillor, who also chairs the Westmeath Heritage Forum.

Heritage officer Melanie McQuade said the survey of thatched buildings in Westmeath was starting this month.

"The aim of this project is to create an up-to-date record of all the thatched buildings in the county, which were once typical in Ireland but are now a rare sight," she said.

"Up until the 17th Century, thatch was the main type of roofing in Ireland but over the years other roofing materials became available and fashionable and now there are only a few thatched buildings in the country."

As well as recording the building details and history, the survey will involve the owners and get their views on the conservation needs of these thatched buildings and the future use of thatch.

The survey results will help to inform conservation priorities, including grant assisted works, for original thatched properties in Westmeath.

Westmeath County Council said it was delighted to be supporting Conservation Consultant Bronagh Lanigan on this project, which is funded by The Heritage Council.

Bronagh is looking for the public's help in finding the remaining unrecorded thatched houses in the county and any information on the history of thatch in Westmeath.

"If people have old photographs of thatched buildings, have thatching tools in a shed that haven't been used or looked at in a while, or any information about thatching in the county I'd love to hear from them."

If you are the owner of a thatched building or if you know of a thatched building in your locality, that may not have been included on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage in 2004, the Heritage Office would like to hear from you at (Heritage@westmeathcoco.ie) or by phoning Melanie McQuade on 087 6074496.

Cllr Heavin was delighted to also announce a survey of Westmeath's natural heritage, as BirdWatch Ireland are undertaking a survey of Barn Owls in the county this summer.

They are requesting the assistance of the public and landowners to report information on Barn Owls to help direct the survey efforts.

Although Barn Owl populations have declined over recent decades, there seems to be early indications that Barn Owl populations may be recovering in certain parts of their range, and BirdWatch Ireland want to establish if this is the case in Westmeath.

One of the reasons for this recovery may be due to the range expansion of non-native small mammal species, the Greater White-toothed Shrew and the Bank Vole, both of which are recent arrivals to Westmeath and are taken as prey by Barn Owls and other predators.

The findings of the Barn Owl survey will be used to ensure the protection of nest sites and to direct targeted conservation efforts which will include the provision of nest boxes in suitable areas to help the local population of the bird.

"Local information will be really valuable to the survey and we are encouraging people to report sighting of Barn Owls in Westmeath," said Melanie McQuade.

To report information on Barn Owls in Westmeath, visit: https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-monitoring/raptors/barn-owl-survey/