Ireland’s first dedicated wildlife hospital is set to open in a Co Meath pub. The Tara na Rí pub, just outside of Navan, has been closed due to Level 5 lockdown restrictions, but it’s now putting the space to use.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland (WRI) plans to use the site later this month.
“In 2020 as a result of COVID, we all experienced a new way of living. Lockdown meant we were out in nature more and noticing the animals around us” says Aoife McPartlin of WRI.
She adds, “Rehabilitators are doing amazing work but the increase in reported injuries to wildlife means they are under severe pressure for space and funding, so we had to set up an emergency interim hospital to help alleviate that pressure.
“We are so excited to get this project started and are lucky to have such wonderful volunteers working very hard to get it ready to receive the first patients.”
There are bigger plans to build a Wildlife and Teaching Hospital with a visitor. For now, the emergency hospital will take residence in the Tara an Rí pub in Garlow Cross.
WRI said on Facebook, “It will be manned by a Hospital Manager, Animal Manager and volunteers and will be funded by donations. It is not species-specific and will cater for all wildlife. WRI are extremely grateful to site owner John McCarthy who has been hugely supportive of this much-needed initiative.”
They are also appealing for help from tradesmen and building material suppliers to transform the space for use.
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