Ardclough Biodiversity Group

Ardclough locals committed to enhancing and protecting our local biodiversity.

What is Ardclough Biodiversity Group?

Ardclough Biodiversity Group is a community project based around an evolving ‘plan of action’ for local biodiversity – created and delivered voluntarily by a group of local residents who share a desire to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the environs of Ardclough, Co. Kildare. The project has been made possible with support and guidance from Kildare County Council.

Ardclough Location

Ardclough is a “hamlet” based on The Canal Bridge (Henry Bridge) to the railway bridges on the Celbridge road and at Clownings. The ‘village centre’ as it is known today includes the new St. Anne’s NS, the Village (Community) Centre, Church, GAA club, Triangle; William’s Grove, Lishandra, Wheatfield houses together with other one-off houses within those boundaries.

The actual community of Ardclough, reaches well into the hinterland; up Boston Road, to Thornton’s Road junction, the original Ardclough Village (on the Canal Bank), the Canal Bank itself from the 13th Lock, on both sides of the Canal to at least 1km along the Bank towards Ponsonby Bridge (Old Ardclough); the Bank from Lyons (Kearneystown) to Baronrath; and a small distance past the Clownings railway bridge to Clownings House.

Habitats and Species

The habitats and landscape management systems in the area are diverse (as are the stakeholders), and include; the GAA grounds, Church grounds, a school campus, the Village Centre community garden, public areas managed by Kildare Co. Co. (e.g. the Triangle), a private gated community, other private gardens, several farms and of course the canal banks, managed by Waterways Ireland.

There are also wooded or “wilded” areas such as the small wood at Henry Bridge, the north bank of the Canal from the Lock Keepers’ Cottages to Henry Bridge (very seldom accessed), the Canal Banks themselves, the parcel of land between Lishandra and the laneway to the Lock Keepers Cottages, on the Celbridge Road (which has been designated as “nature reserve” in several Council documents). Another interesting habitat type in the area is the privately owned and non-public old quarry lakes behind “old Ardclough”.

Several rare and endangered species are known to live in or to frequent this beautiful area of Kildare, including Yellowhammer, Merlin, Barn Owl, Orchid species, Pine Marten, Otter, and Smooth Newt among others. The range of habitat types offers great opportunities for wildlife and biodiversity to thrive.

Kildare Local Area Biodiversity Action Plans

In 2022 Kildare County Council put out a call to local community groups for expressions of interest in engaging in developing a local area biodiversity action plan, that would be supported with professional guidance and funding opportunities by the local authority.

There is a high level of interest existing within the Ardclough community for promoting biodiversity, and at the time a number of Ardclough residents came together to submit an expression of interest in the opportunities on offer. The high nature base, coupled with the local enthusiasm, means that there is likely to be some very valuable work that can be done to preserve and improve the locality with regards biodiversity. Any work towards conserving or enhancing biodiversity locally will also likely provide new opportunities for community inclusion, interaction, and plenty of very meaningful and enjoyable activities for young and old to be part of.

The range of landowners and landscape managers will require sensitivity in development and delivery of this action plan. However, this Biodiversity Action Plan aims to guide the local community and stakeholders in their efforts to protect and restore some of this natural heritage and maximise the benefits that nature can provide for the people of Ardclough.