Blessington, Co Wicklow

Blessington town is nestled in a mountainous landscape. To the northwest of the town is the wooded Deeprark Demense and to the south are the well known Blessington lakes and wildlife reserve. There are a variety of scenic walks along by the lakes with ruins of what may have been a pre-Norman ecclesiastical site known as Burgage More.

The town is renowned for the flooding of the Liffey valley to create the Poulaphouca Dam and resevoir in 1940. This hydropower station provides electricity to thousands of Dublin homes.

Blessington has seen great growth recently particularly residential growth and boasts a new town centre building which houses a state of the art library located on the first floor of the centre.
Facilities include a wide range of books,cds, dvds, audio books, free internet access with broadband, study areas, relaxation areas and a café.

The space has been creatively designed to appeal to all ages with the teenage area (for example) comprising of comfortable modern sofas on which one can browse or listen to music on the audio post.

Also in Blessington, the very exciting D’CAF community youth project is going fantastically. The project involved renovating the rear protion of St Josephs Hall to be used as a safe and protective environment for young people. D’CAF provides soft drinks, biscuits, computer games, pool and snooker tables, board games, a karaoke machine all set up in a lounge-type area with sofas and arm chairs to chill out in for a small fee of only 2 in. It is run by trained volunteers and is hoped to open more nights and at lunchtimes by summer. If your interested you can contact Guy Carlton…(hey Guy send us in your details)

Nearby is the beautifully maintained Palladian architecture that is Russborough House, which is open to the public and boasts a fine collection of paintings some of which have had adventures of being stolen and recovered over the past number of years! For opening times contact them at 353 45 865239.

Blessington lakes consist of 5000 acres of tranquil clean water offering a variety of adventure water pursuits such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, leisure cruising and more. You can also avail of off-water outdoor activites in the area such as tennis, mountain biking, archery, clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, orienteering and more…

Avon Ri resort offers adventure sports and activites - view www.avonri.com for details

One Walking & Orienteering club in the area is the Curragh-Naas Orienteers, Baltyboys, Blessington. – Contact Ruth Lynham @ 353 45 867183

Woodland Walks: Lugnagroagh: (2 km trail) This trail encompasses forest walks, picnic areas and viewing points whilst you may stumble upon fox, rabbit, deer, red squirrel (rapidly disappearing) badger and pheasant. It lies 7km south of Blessington on the N81 to Baltinglass (turn left after Poulaphouca for 1.5km).

Bicycle hire is available from hillcrest hire , main st, blessington Tel: 353(0)45 86 5066
Cab: Kevin Mc Nally – 087 6535812

Jewellery: local craftsman Kieran Cunningham has a lot to offer! Check out his site www.irishjewelleryshop.com for details.

National Monuments: Approx 5km North-East of Blessington is the 14th century keep of a castle with a number of fireplaces and a stair turret. The third story is barrel-vaulted.

Accommodation: Tulfarris Golf & Country House Hotel situated on the shores of Blessington Lakes on a beautiful 200-acre woodland, This exceptional hotel offers leisure facilities and 80 en suite bedrooms. We recommend contacting them @ 353 45 867600/55

Dental Clinic: Emergency? Toothache ruining your holiday?

Contact Aoife or Niall at Blessington Dental Clinic,Open Monday to Friday, located off Lakeside Downs at 1 Millbank, Blessington. 
Tel: 045 865045,
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.blessingtondental.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlessingtonDental?v=wall