Blessington Lakes / Poulaphouca Reservoir

Beautiful scenery to be enjoyed in the Lakes area that offers water-​sports. Blessington’s lakes are easily accessed by the 65 bus route. Nearby, you can visit Russborough House it is an elegant place to visit.

An enormous reservoir serving much of Dublin city’s water, the Blessington Lakes (aka Poulaphouca reservoir) seem natural enough — but were, in fact, made by damming the Liffey in the ‘30s. The dam at Poulaphouca is still used to generate electricity. Why the lakes don’t show up on Google Maps is uncertain.
Since then the lakes have proved popular with day trippers from Dublin — fishing, hiking and nature-​watching are all typical pasttimes. There’s a leisure centre in the area, focal point for many of these activities. Don’t trip over the fishing poles on the bus on the way down.
Motor boating is banned on the lakes, but canoeing and sailing are popular. Pity about the swimming though — it’s strictly prohibited due to dangerous underwater currents and obstructions, the legacy of the flooded valley.
Get there via the 65 bus from Eden Quay, Dublin. A drink in one of Blessington’s numerous pubs is often an adventure before setting home.