Pollardstown Fen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pollardstown Fen
Location	County Kildare, Ireland
Area	321 acres (1.30 km2)
Governing body	National Parks and Wildlife Service

Pollardstown Fen is a very special natural area in County Kildare, Ireland. It is the largest fen in Ireland that gets its water from springs. A fen is a type of wetland that is fed by groundwater, making it rich in minerals. This makes it different from a bog, which gets most of its water from rain.

Pollardstown Fen is about 321 acres (1.3 square kilometers) in size. It is protected as a national nature reserve, a Special Area of Conservation, and a Ramsar site. This means it is recognized as an important place for nature both in Ireland and around the world.

What Makes Pollardstown Fen Special?

Pollardstown Fen became a protected national nature reserve in 1986. The Irish government decided to protect it because some parts of the fen were being changed into farmland. Protecting it helps keep this unique habitat safe.

In 1990, the fen was also named a Ramsar site. This is an international title given to wetlands that are important for waterfowl (birds that live near water) and other wildlife. Pollardstown Fen is Ramsar site number 474.

This fen is special because it is fed by water from the Curragh Aquifer. An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sand that holds water. The water that comes out of the springs here is rich in minerals, which helps unique plants grow.

Plants and Animals of the Fen

Pollardstown Fen is home to many interesting plants and animals. The main plants you will see are:

• Black bog rush
• Saw sedge

Other plants found here include:

• Fly orchid
• Western bladderwort
• Sphagnum moss
• Broad-leaved bog cotton

Many different birds live or visit the fen, such as:

• Sand martins
• Skylarks
• Mute swans
• Herons
• Little grebe
• Coots
• Moorhens
• Reed buntings
• Water rails
• Snipe
• Sedge warblers
• Pintail ducks
• Tufted ducks

Other animals you might spot include:

• Otters
• Hares
• Pygmy shrews
• Smooth newts

There is a wooden walkway, called a boardwalk, at the fen. This allows visitors to explore the area without disturbing the delicate plants and animals.

Protecting the Fen's Water

In 2003, the building of the Kildare by-pass road caused some problems for the fen. The construction affected the water levels in the fen for a while. However, efforts are made to make sure the fen's water supply stays healthy, as it is vital for all the life that lives there.

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