Pollaphuca Reservoir

Poulaphouca Reservoir, commonly called Blessington Lakes, is a large man-made lake on the River Liffey in Leinster, Ireland. It sits in the Wicklow/Kildare area and is a major freshwater storage and hydroelectric site for the region.

The lake was formed in the 20th century by damming the River Liffey to provide water supply and hydroelectric generation. The impoundment changed local land use by flooding low-lying areas and creating the present shoreline used for recreation.

The reservoir lies southwest of Dublin near the town of Blessington in eastern Ireland, occupying a broad valley where the River Liffey was impounded.

• Viewpoints: Best light for photos is in the late afternoon when the low sun picks out the shoreline and islands.
• Alternate name and function: The reservoir is often referred to locally as Blessington Lakes and serves both recreation and water-supply/hydropower functions for the region.

What to See #

• Poulaphouca Dam: The dam that impounds the reservoir and its hydroelectric plant sit at the western end of the lake and are the primary built features for visitors to view.
• Blessington Lakes: The area known as Blessington Lakes refers to the reservoir and surrounding shoreline popular for day trips and scenic drives from nearby towns.