Blessington

On the western shore of the Poulaphouca Reservoir, known locally as Blessington Lakes, the small market town of Blessington, with its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, is one of the most charming villages in the area. It was founded in the late 17th century, and was a stop on the Dublin-Waterford mail coach service in the mid-19th century. Until 1932, a steam train ran from here to Dublin. Just outside the village are two of the marvels of Ireland: 18th-century Russborough House and the adjacent Paulaphauca Reservoir.