Blessington

Village in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland; population (2002) 3,100. Nearby is Pollaphouca (‘the Devil's Hole’) where the River Liffey joins the River Kings before plunging 46 m/151 ft into a series of cascades. A reservoir, 215 sq km/83 sq mi, supplies Dublin with water, and provides power for a hydroelectric plant. Blessington is a sporting and tourist centre.

Blessington was known as Burgage until 1683, when Charles II granted the town a charter and built Blessington Manor for the archbishop of Dublin. The manor was destroyed by fire during the 1798 rebellion against the British.

Russborough House, 3 km/2 mi south of Blessington, is a fine example of Georgian architecture housing the Alfred Beit art collection. To the south is Hollywood Glen, a scenic area reputed to be the site of the first hermitage of St Kelvin. Glen Imaal, the site of a military training ground, is also nearby.