We are lucky here in Droichead Nua that we are located in a region which has a rich surrounding environment. Located just on the edge of the Curragh, with Roseberry Bog to the north, Pollardstown Fen just a short three kilometre walk from the town and the Hill Of Allen just a short drive away. However by far the most significant resource available to the townspeople is the River Liffey, and the town park.

The environment in Newbridge like everywhere else in Ireland it is under increasing pressures, this is just one spin off from the “Celtic Tiger” and our local economy continues to experience unprecedented growth. The improvement in our living conditions and the increase in economic activity have had many positive effects and our population in Newbridge which has expanded significantly over the last ten years. This has also resulted in a phenomenal increase in the houses being built in our town; as a consequence we must all ensure that our actions will not have an adverse effect on our living environment, and work to prevent air or noise pollution, pollution of our waterways and the surrounding countryside.

All of us have a responsibility to protect our environment and the quality of life we pass on to our future generations.

Already some of our wildlife habitats and species are under threat from a variety of sources which may include agricultural practices, forestry, peat extraction, eutrophication (over-enrichment) of waters, climate change, invasive alien species, land clearance and uncontrolled development.

We may complain about the rain from time to time, but this rainfall has supplied our countryside with an abundant, renewable supply of pure water that feeds streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ground waters. The EPA state on their website that according to a recent survey which assessed 13,200 km of river channel, that approximately “70% of our main river channels are in satisfactory condition; 17% are slightly polluted; 12% are moderately polluted and less than 1% are seriously polluted.”

The River Liffey was studied as part of the “Three Rivers Project” and the report is available to read in the County Library in Newbridge. Indeed there are two monitoring points on the Liffey at Newbridge, one upstream from the town and the other some distance downstream - both monitoring points show that the Liffey is “unpolluted” with readings of 4, 4-5, or 5 (these readings indicated that the water quality is Good).

"There have been positive signals for the environment in recent years: a modest improvement in emissions of greenhouse gases and of some acidifying gases, and progress on the extent of rivers affected by eutrophication. Over a longer period we have seen a significant reduction in serious pollution of rivers and in urban air pollution by lead from petrol and smoke from coal. Irish people are becoming more aware of and concerned with environmental issues and more willing to act in environmentally friendly ways. Examples include the success of the plastic bag levy and the increased rates of recycling of municipal waste" EPA 2004 (Offprint Chapter 19)

So get out and get into it enjoy our local environment, and all that it has to offer. When visiting please ensure that you leave the area as you found it, and take your litter home.