View source for Blessington

{{Short description|Town in western County Wicklow, Ireland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{use Hiberno-English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|settlement_type        = Town
|name                   = Blessington
|native_name            = {{lang|ga|Baile Coimín}}
|native_name_lang       = ga
|pushpin_map            = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Ireland
|coordinates            = {{coord|53.170|-6.533|type:city_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
|blank_name_sec1        = Irish Grid Reference
|blank_info_sec1        = {{iem4ibx|N976142}}
|unit_pref              = Metric
|elevation_m            = 223
|subdivision_type       = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name       = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Leinster]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[County Wicklow]]
|population_total       = 5,611
|population_as_of       = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
|population_footnotes   = <ref name="cso2022">{{cite web|title=Census 2022 - F1015 Population|work=Central Statistics Office Census 2022 Reports |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office Ireland]] |date=August 2023 |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 |access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref>
|image_skyline          = {{multiple image
|border = infobox
|total_width = 280px
|image_style = border:1;
|perrow = 1/3
|image1 = Blessington - aerial - 2025-07-12 05.jpg
|caption1 = Skyline of Blessington
|image2 = Downshire Monument - 2025-07-12.jpg
|caption2 = [[Marquess of Downshire|Downshire]] Monument
|image3 = St. Mark's Cross, Blessington - 2025-07-12 01.jpg
|caption3 = [[St. Mark's Cross]]
|image4 = Blessington Main Street - 2025-07-12 02.jpg
|caption4 = Main Street
}}
|website                =
}}
'''Blessington''', historically known as '''Ballycomeen''' ({{Irish place name|Baile Coimín|town of Comyn}}, from the Irish surname ''Ó Coimín''),<ref name=logainm>{{cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/54622.aspx |title=Baile Coimín/Blessington|publisher = Irish Placenames Database | website=logainm.ie|access-date=30 March 2020 }}</ref> is a town on the [[River Liffey]] in [[County Wicklow]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], near the border with [[County Kildare]]. It is around 25&nbsp;km south-west of [[Dublin]], and is situated on the [[N81 road (Ireland)|N81 road]], which connects Dublin to [[Tullow]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/localnotes/blessington-bulletin-39111152.html |title=Blessington Bulletin |date=11 April 2020 |access-date=1 July 2021 |website=independent.ie |publisher=[[Wicklow People]]}}</ref> The town is in a [[townland]] and [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of the same name.<ref name=logainm/>

== History ==
=== Etymology ===
The current name 'Blessington' was first recorded in 1667.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.logainm.ie/ga/54622 |title=Baile Coimín/Blessington |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Logainm}}</ref> It may be based on a false etymology that confused the surname {{Lang|ga|Coimín}} with the Irish word {{Lang|ga|comaoin}}, which means blessing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://heritage.wicklowheritage.org/places/river_liffey_heritage_project-2/blessington |title=Blessington |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Wicklow Heritage}}</ref>

===<span class="anchor" id="Blessington lunula"></span> Ancient and medieval history ===
[[File:Blessington lunula.BM.WG.31.jpg|thumb|[[Gold lunula]] (2400 BCE - 2000 BCE) found in Blessington and now in the [[British Museum]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_WG-31 
| title= Object: The Blessington lunula, museum number WG.31 
| quote= 'Description: Gold lunula. Flat sheet crescent of beaten gold with quadrangular terminals | publisher = British Museum}}</ref>]]
Evidence of Bronze Age activity in the area is demonstrated by the spectacular Blessington [[gold lunula]], now in the [[British Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=818350&partId=1&searchText=blessington&page=1|title=The Blessington lunula|website=British Museum|access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref> The nearby [[Rath Turtle Moat]] was occupied from the 12th century onward by [[Norse Gaels]] and [[Normans]].

Blessington was previously called ''Munfine'', and in the medieval period was part of the lordship of Threecastles; [[Threecastles Castle]] is a three-storey tower house situated 5&nbsp;km from Blessington, which was most likely built by [[Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare|Gerald Fitzgerald]], [[Lord Deputy of Ireland]], or his son Sir James Fitzgerald.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://heritage.wicklowheritage.org/places/river_liffey_heritage_project-2/threecastles |title=Threecastles |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=County Wicklow Heritage}}</ref>

The abandoned medieval village of Burgage More is just south of Blessington town. It was an ecclesiastical settlement and is the site of a ruined tower house and church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://heritage.wicklowheritage.org/places/river_liffey_heritage_project-2/burgage_more |title=Burgage More |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Wicklow Heritage}}</ref> A granite high cross named [[St. Mark's Cross]] was erected there in the 12th century beside a holy well. The cross was moved from Burgage More to Burgage Cemetery in the 20th century due to the construction of the [[Poulaphouca Reservoir]] and rising water levels.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/st-marks-cross/ |title=St. Mark's Cross |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Visit Wicklow}}</ref>

=== Early modern history ===
In 1667, [[Michael Boyle (the younger)|Michael Boyle]], [[Church of Ireland]] [[Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)|Archbishop of Dublin]] and [[Lord Chancellor of Ireland]], bought the lordship, previously the property of the Cheevers, for £1,000. Archbishop Boyle received a royal charter to establish the town of Blessington, in the townland of Munfine, as a [[borough]].

Construction of [[Blessington House]] was begun in 1673 and afterwards [[St Mary's Church, Blessington|St Mary's Church]] on Main Street, which was completed in 1683. On Archbishop Boyle's death in December 1702, his son, [[Murrough Boyle, 1st Viscount Blesington]], inherited the Blessington estate. Lord Blessington's son, [[Charles Boyle, 2nd Viscount Blesington|Charles, 2nd Viscount Blesington]], died in June 1732 without an heir, and the estate was inherited by his sister Anne, then her son, [[William Stewart, 1st Earl of Blessington]]. The earl died in August 1769 without an heir and the estate passed to Charles Dunbar, a great-grandson of the 1st Viscount Blessington, who also died heirless in 1778, when the estate passed to [[Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire|Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough]], whose seat was [[Hillsborough Castle]] in [[Hillsborough, County Down|Hillsborough]], [[County Down]], a great-great-grandson of Archbishop Boyle. Lord Hillsborough was created as the 1st [[Marquess of Downshire]] in August 1789. The Hills held the estate until 1908.

[[File:IMG BlessingtonDownshire5536c.jpg|thumb|The Downshire Hotel, a landmark on Main Street, is now closed]]
The main road of the town is an example of a planned improvement of towns and villages associated with estates in the late 1700s and early 1800s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Darley|first=Gillian|title=Villages of vision|date=1975|publisher=Architectural Press|isbn=0-85139-705-0|location=London|pages=148|oclc=1921555}}</ref> [[Arthur Hill, 3rd Marquess of Downshire|Arthur Hill]], the 3rd Marquess of Downshire commissioned a house to be built for his agent {{Circa|1820}}.<ref name="Blessington Heritage Trail">{{Cite web |url=https://heritage.wicklowheritage.org/places/blessington/blessington_heritage_trail#:~:text=The%20Downshire%20Hotel,back%20to%20headquarters%20in%20Hillsborough. |title=Blessington Heritage Trail |date=2020-03-30 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=County Wicklow Heritage}}</ref> The building later operated as the Downshire Hotel, until its closure in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How the hotel industry is changing in Wicklow |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/how-the-hotel-industry-is-changing-in-wicklow/26978429.html |last=Buchanan |first=Myles |date=2005-11-03 |access-date=2023-07-07 |work=Irish Independent}}</ref> The Marquess was also responsible for the construction of several prominent buildings in the town such as the Market House ({{Circa|1820}}), Downshire Lodge ({{Circa|1830}}), and the Parish schoolhouse ({{Circa|1830}}).<ref name="Blessington Heritage Trail"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://lisburn.com/books/historical_society/volume10/volume10-11.html |title=The Blessington Estate & the Downshire Connection |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Lisburn |last=Trant |first=Kathy |year=2005–2006}}</ref>

[[Russborough House]], situated approximately 5&nbsp;km south of Blessington, was built by the Leeson family, [[Earl of Milltown|Earls of Milltown]], and became the home of philanthropist [[Alfred Lane Beit|Sir Alfred Beit]] (1903–1994), before becoming a museum.

=== 20th-century history===
During the [[Irish Civil War]], Blessington became a place of strategic importance for the Anti-Treaty forces who regrouped in the town after defeat in Dublin. It was envisioned that they could use the town as a base from which to link up with other Anti-Treaty fighters to launch a new attack on Dublin in July 1922.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theirishstory.com/2021/11/22/civil-war-casualties-in-county-wicklow-1922-1923/#.ZHYYJHbMKdE |title=Civil War casualties in County Wicklow, 1922-1923 |date=2021-11-22 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=The Irish Story |last=Ó Maonaigh |first=Aaron}}</ref> However, the plan was hampered by lack of coordination and provisions. The Anti-Treaty forces were quickly dispersed following a skirmish with Free State troops.

Above the nearby village of [[Lacken, County Wicklow|Lacken]] in the early hours of 18 April 1941, an [[RAF]] [[Handley Page Hampden]] aircraft (Registration AD730)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/213643|title=Handley Page Hampden Mk I AD730, 18 Apr 1941 |date=18 April 1941 |website=aviation-safety.net |publisher=[[Aviation Safety Network]] |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref><ref name = wickher>{{Cite web|last=Lennon|first=Mattie|date=2020-03-30|title=Kylebeg and World War II|url=https://heritage.wicklowheritage.org/topics/topics-miscellaneous/kylebeg-and-world-war-ii|access-date=2022-04-16|website=County Wicklow Heritage|language=en}}</ref> got lost in bad weather and [[Lacken, County Wicklow#RAF crash|crashed on Black Hill (Kilbeg)]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/54883 | title = An Chill Bheag/Kilbeg | work = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | publisher = [[Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht|Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]] and [[Dublin City University]] | accessdate = 12 April 2022}}</ref> killing its entire crew of four. The airmen were brought to Blessington and buried with full military honors on 22 April 1941 at St. Mary's Church by order of the Irish Government.<ref name = wickher/> [[The Irish Times]] the day after reported that “During the funeral all shops in Blessington were closed and blinds drawn on windows.”<ref name = wickher/> A memorial stone was unveiled at the crash site on 18 April 1991.<ref name = irishav>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ww2irishaviation.com/gravescj/chapter_1.html|title=What is Known about the Last Flight of AD730|website=Irish Aviation}}</ref><ref name=ASN>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/213643|title=Handley Page Hampden Mk I AD730, 18 Apr 1941 |date=18 April 1941 |website=aviation-safety.net |publisher=[[Aviation Safety Network]] |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Modern development ===
[[File:View of Blessington town from a field north of the town 03.jpg|thumb|View of Blessington town from a field north of the town.]]
Since the turn of the 21st century, Blessington's population has increased substantially, more than doubling from 2,509 at the 2002 census, to 5,010 by the time of the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ireland/towns/wicklow_kildare/0171__blessington/ | website = City Population | title = Blessington (Ireland) Census Town | access-date = 30 March 2020 }}</ref> Population reached 5,611 in 2022.<ref name="cso2022"/> The majority of housing estates were constructed on the western side of the town, off the R410, which is the road to [[Naas]].  A new inner bypass has also been opened that alleviates traffic on Main Street to some degree.

Infrastructure improvements since 2005 include a playground, fire station, a central retail development, including a [[Dunnes Stores]] outlet and a public library (opened in 2006) above it, expansion of a [[SuperValu (Ireland)|SuperValu]] supermarket, and addition of an [[ALDI]] supermarket.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Myles |title=Aldi Blessington reopens after Project Fresh revamp costing nearly €1 million |work=Wicklow News |publisher=[[Irish Independent]] |date=28 July 2022 |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/west-wicklow-news/aldi-blessington-reopens-after-project-fresh-revamp-costing-nearly-1-million/41874187.html |accessdate=8 July 2023 }}</ref>

== Amenities ==
=== Pubs ===
The town has a number of pubs, namely Hennessy's, Miley's, Murphy's, the West Wicklow House and the Rambler's Rest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pubs in Blessington |work=Food and Drink |publisher=Blessington Tourist Office |year=2024 |url=http://blessingtontouristoffice.ie/pubs/ |access-date=17 July 2024 }}</ref>

=== St Mary's Church ===
[[St Mary's Church, Blessington|St Mary's Church]] is situated in Market Square, in the middle of the town. It was built around 1683, having been financed by [[Michael Boyle (archbishop of Armagh)|Archbishop Boyle]]. While most of the church was rebuilt in the 19th century, the tower of this old church remains at the west end.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WI&regno=16303006|title=Blundell House Additional Images: Buildings of Ireland: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage|website=www.buildingsofireland.ie|access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref>

The church is well known in the bell-ringing community for housing the oldest complete set of bells in Ireland. The six bells date to 1682 and were cast by James Bartlet, who was the master founder of [[Whitechapel Bell Foundry|Whitechapel]] at that time. The money for these was also given by Archbishop Boyle. They are still rung twice a week, for Sunday morning service and on Saturday nights, for ringing practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bellringingireland.org/index.php/st-mary-blessington|title=St Mary Blessington - BellringingIreland.org|website=www.bellringingireland.org|access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/bells-at-st-marys-church-of-ireland-are-the-oldest-surviving-set-in-the-country-pealing-the-ageold-bells-of-blessington-27739077.html|title=Bells at St. Mary's Church of Ireland are the oldest surviving set in the country Pealing the age-old bells of Blessington - Independent.ie|access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref>

While it holds the oldest ''peal'' of change-ringing bells in Ireland, the oldest ''bells'' hung for change-ringing in Ireland are found in [[St. Audoen's Church, Dublin (Church of Ireland)|St Audoen's Church]] in Dublin city centre. Three of the bells (the 3, 4, and 5 of the 6 bell-peal) date to 1453, and were cast in York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bellringingireland.org/index.php/st-audeon-dublin|title=St Audeon Dublin - BellringingIreland.org|website=www.bellringingireland.org|access-date=11 January 2018|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124020/http://www.bellringingireland.org/index.php/st-audeon-dublin|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Poulaphouca Reservoir ===
[[Image:Remains of a road leading into the Poulaphouca Reservoir, County Wicklow, Ireland.jpg|thumb|Remains of a road leading into the reservoir (pictured during a drought, August 2022)]]
Also known locally as the [[Poulaphouca Reservoir|Blessington Lakes]], the reservoir was created in 1940 when the waterfall at [[Poulaphouca]] on the [[River Liffey]] (which flows from the [[Wicklow Mountains]] to [[Dublin]]) was dammed by the [[Electricity Supply Board|ESB]] for a hydroelectric plant which is still in use today. The valley was flooded and the resulting lakes extend over approximately {{convert|5000|acres|0|abbr=on}}. A small village called  Ballinahown was submerged by the damming of the waterfall, and the remains of roads can still be seen leading down into the lake.

In addition to electricity, the lakes also provide water for the locality and the Dublin region as well as provide a leisure resource. There is now a lakeside luxury hotel complex in the Blessington area, with its own helipad, and lakeside facilities which have helped to develop tourism in the area. The lake is also extensively used by boatmen and fishermen, and is a training location for the [[Irish Air Corps]] HQ divisions from [[Baldonnel, Ireland|Baldonnel]], 15&nbsp; km north of Blessington, and also Local Civil Defence Water rescue teams.

=== Blessington Greenway ===
[[File:Blessington Greenway entrance.jpg|thumb|Blessington Greenway at Russellstown Bay adjacent to Russborough House]]
The Blessington Greenway is a 6.5&nbsp; km walking trail that links Blessington with Russborough House.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blessington.ie/greenway/|title=The Blessington Greenway|website=blessington.ie |access-date=2022-06-18}}</ref> The trail starts in Blessington and leads south to The Avon activity centre at the southern edge of the town where it then follows along the lake shore, crossing a medieval ringfort, and uses the footpath along part of the N81 road before turning back into the forest at Burgage Moyle lane. It then crosses the Valleymount Road ([[R758 road (Ireland)|R758]]) and makes its way to Russellstown Bay adjacent to Russborough House. A second phase for the greenway, laid out in a planning submission by Wicklow County Council in early 2022, is proposed to expand the trail to include a 33&nbsp; km loop surrounding the lake, taking in the villages of [[Lacken, County Wicklow|Lacken]], [[Valleymount]] and [[Ballyknockan]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Myles|date=2022-01-19|title=
Blessington to become a major walking and cycling destination as greenway plans are submitted|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/news/blessington-to-become-a-major-walking-and-cycling-destination-as-greenway-plans-are-submitted-41253411.html|access-date=2022-06-18|work=Wicklow People|language=en}}</ref>

== Transport ==
In 1888, the [[Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway]] service commenced from [[Terenure]] to Blessington via [[Tallaght]], linking with the horse trams from the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2008/02/blessington_tram_last_run_new.asp|title=Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal: BLESSINGTON TRAM - LAST RUN - NEW YEAR'S EVE 1932|website=www.kildare.ie|access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref> This service ended at the end of December 1932 and was replaced with a conventional bus service, [[Dublin Bus]] route 65. Lacking a train station in the town, this service continues to operate as the main public transport connection between Blessington and Dublin city. {{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Blessington is on the [[N81 road (Ireland)|N81 national secondary road]], and is connected via the [[R410 road (Ireland)|R410 regional road]] with [[Naas]]. The latter starts in the south end of the town heading west and proceeds through a natural gap in the hills of Glending Forest and [[Eadestown]]. The route is treacherous during heavy winter snowfalls, and is sometimes closed in severe conditions.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

[[File:The clock storey in the tower of St Mary's Church, Blessington 02.jpg|thumb|left|The town square as seen from the tower of [[St Mary's Church, Blessington|St Mary's Church]] (Slieveroe hill in the background)]]
Since August 2021, Blessington has been served by route 884, a Mon-Fri public bus service operated by [[TFI Local Link]] Kildare South Dublin, which connects the town with Naas and [[Sallins and Naas railway station|Sallins railway station]]. The arrivals at the railway station are scheduled to link in with departures to, and arrivals from, [[Heuston railway station]] in Dublin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://locallinkkildaresouthdublin.ie/route-884-ballymore-eustace-to-sallins-train-station-via-naas/ |title=Route 884 Ballymore Eustace to Sallins Train Station via Naas |website=Local Link Kildare South Dublin}}</ref>

[[Dublin Bus]] route 65, starting at Poolbeg Street in [[Dublin City Centre]], takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and passes through [[Rathmines]], [[Terenure]], [[Templeogue]], [[Tallaght]], and [[Brittas, County Dublin|Brittas]] on its way to Blessington.<ref name = dubbus>{{cite web |url=https://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/65-/ |title=Timetable, Route 65 |website=[[Dublin Bus]] |access-date=23 April 2022 |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702102031/http://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/65-/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A limited number of daily services on route 65 are also extended to [[Ballyknockan]] and [[Ballymore Eustace]].<ref name = dubbus/> The Ballymore service routes via the N81, as does the Ballyknockan service.<ref name = dubbus/>

Bus Éireann route 132 (Dublin-[[Bunclody]]) routes via [[Tallaght Hospital]], Blessington, [[Baltinglass]] and [[Rathvilly]] en route to Bunclody. One journey is extended weekly to [[Wexford]] and [[Rosslare Europort]].<ref name =Apr2022bus>{{cite web |url=https://www.buseireann.ie/timetable/2467.pdf/ |title=Timetable - Route 132. DUBLIN - BALTINGLASS - TULLOW - BALLON - KILDAVIN - BUNCLODY |website=[[Bus Éireann]]}}</ref>

== Education ==
The town and its hinterlands are served by several primary schools and one secondary school.

The local primary schools include St Mary's National School, a [[Roman Catholic]] [[national school (Ireland)|national school]], which comprises St Mary's Junior National School (infants to 2nd class) and St Mary's Senior National School (3rd to 6th class). As of 2019, the combined coeducational school(s) had over 600 pupils enrolled.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school/School-Detail/?roll=20110S | publisher = Department of Education | website = education.ie | title = St Mary's Senior National School, Blessington | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200330201919/https://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school/School-Detail/?roll=20110S | archive-date = 30 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school/School-Detail/?roll=20110S | publisher = Department of Education | website = education.ie | title = St Mary's Junior School, Blessington | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200330202059/https://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school/School-Detail/?roll=17091A | archive-date = 30 March 2020 }}</ref> The local [[Church of Ireland]] national school is known as Blessington Number 1 National School, and had approximately 200 pupils enrolled in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/06176U_WSEMLLP_7207_20180126.pdf | publisher = Department of Education | website = education.ie | title = Whole School Evaluation Management, Leadership And Learning Report - Blessington 1 National School | date = 23 January 2018 | access-date = 30 March 2020 }}</ref>

{{Lang|ga|Gaelscoil na Lochanna}} (School of the Lakes) is a [[gaelscoil]] which was founded in 2006 to cater for those in the area who wished to educate their children primarily through the [[Irish language]]. As of 2022, it had 169 pupils enrolled.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/directory/page/ahd36i-48quov-/ |title=Gaelscoil na Lochanna |date=2023-02-17 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Gov.ie}}</ref> A nearby [[Educate Together]] national school was founded in 2006 on the site of a long-standing school and has a large sports field.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.educatetogether-blessington.ie/wp/?page_id=1779 | website = educatetogether-blessington.ie | title = History of Blessington Educate Together National School | access-date = 30 March 2020 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/directory/page/67vqaw-80dqh3-/ |title=Blessington Educate Together National School |date=2023-02-17 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Gov.ie}}</ref>

The only secondary school in Blessington, Blessington Community College, is on the Naas Road and had an enrolment (in 2022) of 584.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/directory/page/fryjev-iluq1e-/ |title=Blessington Community College |date=2023-02-17 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Gov.ie}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
Former or current residents of the town have included:
* [[Bobbi Arlo]], singer<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Flaherty |first=Aideen |date=10 February 2021 |title=Bobbi Arlo: Artist features in RTÉ 2fm's rising list 2021 |url=https://www.echo.ie/bobbi-arlo-artist-features-in-rte-2fm-s-rising-list-2021/ |work=[[The Echo (Dublin)|The Echo]] |access-date=13 April 2025}}</ref>
* [[Sir Alfred Beit, 2nd Baronet|Sir Alfred Lane Beit]] (1903–1994), British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] [[politics of the United Kingdom|politician]], art collector, [[philanthropy|philanthropist]], [[Irish nationality law#Honorary|honorary Irish citizen]], and owner of [[Russborough House]].<ref name=times>[https://archive.today/20110604094725/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2352277,00.html Diaries will stay secret 'to protect the Queen'] — ''[[The Times]]'', 11 September 2006</ref><ref name=ngi>[http://www.nationalgallery.ie/html/paintings.html National Gallery of Ireland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210164228/http://www.nationalgallery.ie/html/paintings.html |date=10 December 2006 }} — [[National Gallery of Ireland]] website, Retrieved 26 November 2006.</ref>
* [[Gerald Boland]] (1885–1973), Irish [[Fianna Fáil]] politician who briefly commanded the 3rd South Dublin Brigade in Blessington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/women-active-in-ira-flying-columns-2/|title=History Ireland: Women active in IRA flying columns?|date=6 March 2013|access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Jack Boothman]] (1935–2016), 31st [[President of the Gaelic Athletic Association|president]] of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] (GAA) between 1994 and 1997.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/jack-boothman-first-protestant-president-of-the-gaa-1.2647472 Jack Boothman: first Protestant president of the GAA]</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Grant (diarist)|Elizabeth Grant]] (1797–1885), Scottish [[diarist]] and [[lady of the manor]] of [[Baltyboys House]].<ref name=":0">Christine Lodge, ‘Smith, Elizabeth (1797–1885)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/38611?docPos=2 accessed 24 November 2017]</ref><ref name= history>{{cite web| url = http://www.historyireland.com/18th-19th-century-history/personal-narratives-as-historical-sources-the-journal-of-elizabeth-smith-1840-1850-31/| title = Personal narratives as historical sources: the journal of Elizabeth Smith 1840-1850 (3:1)| last = TeBrake| first = Janet K.| website = History Island| publisher = History Publications Ltd| access-date = 3 March 2019}}</ref>
* Josh Gray (born 1997), former member of disbanded six-piece Irish [[boy band]] [[HomeTown (band)|HomeTown]] (2014–2016) managed by [[Louis Walsh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derryjournal.com/what-s-on/arts-culture/louis-walsh-picks-derry-s-gareth-for-new-boy-band-1-5958335|title=Louis Walsh picks Derry's Gareth for new boy band|work=derryjournal.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/hometown-louis-walsh-new-single-5371228|title=Hometown: Some people ask us for photos and then say we'll keep this for when you're famous|date=21 March 2015|access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref>
* [[John Lackey (cyclist)|John Lackey]], Irish [[road racing cyclist]], cycle sport administrator and [[Tour of Ireland]] race director.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
* Frank McCann, Blessington publican<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-case-i-can-t-forget/SI0000008064?epguid=IP000067304|title=The Case I Can't Forget: Esther and Jessica McCann|date=13 December 2021|type=Television production|language=English|time=28:46}} {{Limited access}}</ref> convicted of the [[Murder of Esther and Jessica McCann|murder of his wife Esther and eighteen-month-old foster-daughter Jessica]] in September 1992.
* [[Kevin McClory]] (1924–2006), Irish screenwriter, film producer, and film director who produced the [[James Bond (character)|James Bond]] film ''[[Thunderball (film)|Thunderball]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|id=0565886|name=Kevin McClory}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=June 2023}}
* [[Lorenzo Moore (cleric)|Lorenzo Moore]] (1808–1894), noted [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] clergyman in [[New Zealand]], who was born in Blessington.<ref name="DNZB Moore">{{DNZB|title=Lorenzo Moore|first= Warren E.|last= Limbrick|id=2m54|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref> 
* Dr. Patrick Purcell, owner of the car which was linked to the [[killing of Lizzie O'Neill]] in June 1925.<ref name=e-h-honour-killing>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/an-honour-killing/27874802.html|title=An Honour Killing|last=Blain|first=Emma|date=5 June 2008|access-date=23 July 2015|publisher=[[The Herald (Ireland)|Evening Herald]]}}</ref>
* [[Louise Quinn]] (born 1990), [[Republic of Ireland women's national football team|Republic of Ireland national football team]] player.<ref name="Arsenal">{{cite news |title=Louise Quinn in my own words |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/louise-quinn-my-own-words |access-date=18 September 2022 |publisher=[[Arsenal F.C.]] |date=25 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Isaac Sharp]] (1681–1735), early [[Province of New Jersey|New Jersey]] settler, politician and judge who settled in [[Salem County, New Jersey]] and originally named the area Blessingtown after his home town.<ref>''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography'', Volume 20 (1896). Philadelphia: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 134</ref>
* [[Dame Ninette de Valois]] (née Edris Stannus) (1898–2001), Irish-born British<ref name="Britannica">{{cite book |title=Ninette de Valois |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ninette-de-Valois |access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref> [[ballet dancer|dancer]], [[choreographer]], and director of [[classical ballet]] who spent her childhood at [[Baltyboys House|Baltiboys]] near Blessington.<ref>{{cite web |title=Come Dance With Me – A Memoir 1898-1956 |publisher=[[Lilliput Press]] |date=2017 |url=https://www.lilliputpress.ie/product/come-dance-with-me-a-memoir-1898-1956 |access-date=2 December 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Brian Warfield]] (born 1946), vocalist, [[banjo]], [[harp]], and [[bodhrán]] player and lead songwriter with Irish band [[The Wolfe Tones]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p30442/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Wolfe Tones|last=Nickson|first=Chris |publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=2 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/wolfe-tones-brothers-derek-brian-10726813|title=Wolfe Tones brothers reveal they haven't met since split 16 years ago|first=Jim|last=Gallagher|date=2 July 2017|website=Irish Mirror}}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{anl|Gleninsheen gorget}}
* {{anl|KnockanStockan}}
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]
* [[List of market houses in the Republic of Ireland|Market Houses in Ireland]]
* {{anl|Seefin Passage Tomb}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* ''The Four Stone Tree: a history of Blessington'' by Vincent Byrne (self-published, 2003)
* ''The Blessington Estate 1667-1908'' by Kathy Trant (Anvil Books, 2004)

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Blessington}}
*[http://www.blessington.ie Blessington & District Forum Website]
*[http://www.blessington.info Blessington Parish Website]

{{County Wicklow}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns and villages in County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Townlands of County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Civil parishes of County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Planned communities in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland]]