On the northern side of the Curragh, Pollardstown Fen is located 3 kilometres from Newbridge, County Kildare. The fen encompasses 220 hectares, with the state owning 60% of it.
A fen is an alkaline wetland that feeds itself with calcium-rich spring water. The majority of fens develop raised bogs over time. Raised bogs contain acid peat, and rainfall is their only source of nutrients.
Pollardstown Fen is of international significance since this type of building is now unusual in Ireland and Western Europe. It also has a diverse range of unique plant and animal species, as well as a pollen record of changes in vegetation composition going back to the last ice age.
