Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements listed below of NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated February 25, 2011 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Hartford, CT

February 25, 2011

Registration Statements:

No. 333-114117 on Form S-8 effective April 1, 2004

No. 333-129445 on Form S-8 effective November 4, 2005

No. 333-162692 on Form S-3 effective October 27, 2009