Blessington
Blessington at a Glance
Costs: US$90-140 per day - b&Bs, pubs and watersport activities keep costs moderate.
Safety: Generally safe - safe commuter and lakeside town; usual caution near water.
Best Time: May to September - warm months are best for boating, walking and local events.
Why Visit Blessington?
Surrounded by lakes and easy access to the Wicklow Mountains, this town is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. Lake Blessington (the Poulaphouca Reservoir) offers sailing and shoreline walks, while nearby Russborough House provides stately tours and art exhibitions. It’s a pleasant base for hiking, equestrian activities and country house visits without the longer travel needed from Dublin.
Best Things to Do in Blessington
Museum
Kilmainham Gaol
Former Dublin prison now a history museum
Amusement Park
Guinness Storehouse
Interactive museum about Guinness brewing history
Religious Site
Glendalough
Early medieval monastic site in glacial valley
Zoo
Dublin Zoo
Large city zoo in Phoenix Park, Dublin
Museum
National Museum of Ireland
Ireland's national museum preserving archaeology and cultural collections
Museum
James Joyce Tower and Museum
Georgian Martello tower housing James Joyce memorabilia
Stadium
Aviva Stadium
Modern Dublin stadium hosting rugby and football
Park
Croke Park
Large Dublin stadium, primary venue for Gaelic games
Blessington Bucket List
Don't Miss
Blessington Lakes (Poulaphouca Reservoir) - Expansive reservoir with lakeside walks, fishing spots, and scenic driving routes.
Russborough House - 18th-century country house with guided tours, period rooms, and sculpture gardens.
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort - Popular golf course and waterfront hotel overlooking Blessington Lakes with good dining.
Hidden Gems
Valleymount village murals - Small collection of community murals and studios in nearby Valleymount village, worth exploring.
Blessington Farmers’ Market - Weekend market featuring local food producers, artisan goods, and friendly vendors.
Liffey Walks nearby - Riverside trails close to town ideal for gentle walks and birdwatching along the Liffey.
Day Trips
Glendalough (Wicklow Mountains) - Monastic ruins and lakes within Wicklow Mountains National Park, less than hour’s drive.
Dublin city - Dublin’s museums, shops, and historic sites about forty minutes’ drive from Blessington.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Blessington
Blessington is best visited from late spring through summer (May-August) when mild weather and long days make the Wicklow lakes and hills enjoyable. Winters are damp and chilly, so pack for rain.
Winter
Cold, wet and often grey - fine for cosy pub nights but not ideal for long outdoor adventures.
Spring
Fresh, green countryside and milder days - a great time for lakeside walks and fewer tourists.
Summer
Pleasant, mild summers with long daylight - perfect for boating, cycling and relaxed outdoor dining.
Blessington's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (951 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 98 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 74 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 70 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 4° | 64 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 67 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 64 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 64 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 80 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 87 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 7° | 94 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 88 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 101 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Blessington
Blessington (County Wicklow/near Dublin) is most easily reached by road from Dublin or Dublin Airport. Regional buses provide a practical public transport option, but a car or taxi is more convenient for flexible travel and sightseeing in the hills and lakes.
Dublin Airport (DUB): Blessington is south‑west of Dublin and easiest reached from Dublin Airport by rental car or taxi (drive time ~40-60 minutes depending on traffic). Airport transfers and private taxis are the quickest options; prices vary by operator.
Shannon Airport (SNN): Shannon is further away and not a practical choice for most visitors to Blessington unless combining with other west‑of‑Ireland travel-expect a drive of 1.5-2.5 hours from Shannon.
Train: Blessington has no train station; the nearest main railheads are in Dublin (Heuston/Connolly) for national rail services.
Bus: Bus Éireann and private coach operators provide services from Dublin city and suburbs to Blessington and nearby towns; Dublin Bus commuter services and private routes link the town with the capital. Typical bus journey time from Dublin city centre is about 40-70 minutes depending on route and traffic, with fares usually in the €3-€8 range on regional services.
How to Get Around Blessington
Blessington is easily accessed by car from Dublin and by regular regional bus services. For maximum flexibility and to reach remote hillwalks and lakes, use a car; otherwise buses serve the town centre adequately.
- Car / Rental (€30-€70/day) - Driving is the most convenient way to reach Blessington and explore the surrounding Wicklow Mountains and Blessington Lakes. Roads are good and parking in the town is straightforward. A car is recommended for visiting dispersed outdoor sites.
- Bus (Bus Éireann / commuter services) (€3-€8) - Regional and commuter buses link Blessington with Dublin and neighbouring towns. Buses are a cost‑effective option for day trips to and from Dublin; frequency is adequate during daytime but limited late evenings and Sundays.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (€20-€80) - Taxis are useful for direct transfers from the airport or train stations and for flexible local travel. Pre‑book for early morning or late evening trips to ensure availability.
- Bike (€0-€20/day (hire)) - Cycling is popular around Blessington, especially for scenic routes near the lakes. Routes can be hilly and exposed-suitable for experienced cyclists and recommended in good weather.
- Local Shuttle / Tour Bus (€10-€40) - Guided tours and shuttle services operate to popular local attractions (e.g., Wicklow Mountains) from Blessington and nearby towns-handy for visitors who don’t have a car. Availability peaks in tourist season.
- Walking - Blessington village is compact and very walkable; many nearby scenic walks start right from town. Walking is the best way to experience the lakeside and local trails.
Where to Stay in Blessington
Budget
Town centre / Blessington Lakes - $40-90/night
Blessington has a mix of B&Bs and a major resort; budget B&Bs are limited but available, especially off-season.
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort - Occasional budget deals off-season
Local B&Bs (listing) - Several small, affordable B&Bs
Mid-Range
Lakeside / near golf course - $90-170/night
Mid-range accommodation centers around Tulfarris resort and several well-reviewed guesthouses close to the lakes and amenities.
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort - Comfortable lakeside resort with golf
Blessington House - Boutique guesthouse style stay
Luxury
Lakeside estates / resorts - $170+/night
Blessington’s top-tier stays are mainly the lakeside resort and private country-house options-limited but comfortable for upscale stays.
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort - Resort with upscale rooms and facilities
Nearby luxury country houses (regional) - Exclusive private house stays nearby
Where to Eat in Blessington
Country Pubs & Hearty Fare
Local pubs serve roast dinners, stews and seafood chowders; menus focus on filling, traditional dishes and friendly bar service and live music.
Lake-side Cafés & Bistros
Cafés around the reservoirs offer light lunches, salads and baked goods; many use locally produced cheeses, seasonal vegetables and house preserves.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Blessington’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Blessington
Nightlife in Blessington is low-key and centred on traditional pubs, restaurants and occasional live music nights. You won’t find late-night clubs, but evenings are pleasant and community-oriented. For a wider selection of bars and nightlife, a drive into Dublin or larger nearby towns will be necessary.
Shopping in Blessington
Blessington’s shopping scene is small-scale: local independents, a supermarket or two and specialist outdoor retailers serving visitors to the nearby lakes. For major shopping or brand stores, Dublin is the nearest full-service option. Markets and seasonal craft fairs can offer locally produced goods and artisan items.