The Greenway begins in Blessington, connecting the historic town with Russborough House; the Blessington Lakes are nearby.
Russborough: House, Park and Birds of Prey
The Palladian Russborough House lies on the outskirts of Blessington. Inside the house are works of art, antiques and stories about the people who lived there in the past. The 200-acre parkland is shaped by old trees, planned vistas and hidden paths. Together, the house and park offer different perspectives on the place: the collection and former residents inside the house, and the designed landscape outside.
For a walk, choose between the 2 km Lake Walk and the 2.5 km Woodland Walk. The Woodland Walk is therefore 500 m longer. Both routes are in the grounds of Russborough; their different lengths offer a clear point of comparison when planning a visit.
The Hawk Walk begins with an introduction to around 40 birds of prey. This is followed by a leisurely walk through the grounds of Russborough, accompanied by a falconer and one of the larger falcons. The experience combines an introduction to the birds with time in the park. As booking details and the itinerary may change, check the latest information before planning.
The National Bird of Prey Centre is also located on the grounds of Russborough House. Eagles, falcons, hawks and owls are featured there. The offerings include a tour and a talk; visitors can also hold some of the hand-reared birds. Here, the focus is on encountering a variety of birds of prey, while the walking trails explore the parkland.
Greenway and Lakeside Landscape
The Blessington Greenway begins in Blessington and follows the shores of the Blessington Lakes through woodland and natural forest areas. It connects the historic town with Russborough House. Unlike the two walking trails at Russborough, the focus here is on the connection between the town and the house.
The Blessington Lakes lie in the Wicklow Mountains and cover around 5,000 acres of water. Nearby Poulaphouca Reservoir is Ireland’s largest man-made lake. The road around the Blessington Lakes offers views across the reservoir and the Wicklow Mountains and can be travelled by car or bicycle. The Greenway and the road thus offer different ways to experience the landscape.
County Wicklow: Nature and History in the Wider Travel Area
As an additional point of reference in the wider destination of County Wicklow, Glendalough offers a historical focus. Saint Kevin founded a monastery there in the 6th century. The remains of the Monastic City include a round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and decorated crosses.
Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares and is an important recreational area for locals and tourists. The Wicklow Way was Ireland’s first waymarked long-distance trail. In addition, County Wicklow has more than 50 walking trails, which can be selected by length, location, type, theme and difficulty. As the selection of trails may change, check the current options before committing to a route.
Compare accommodation in Blessington
Russborough House lies on the outskirts, the Greenway begins in the town, and the Blessington Lakes are nearby. You can choose where to stay based on the visits that matter most for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Newtownmountkennedy, Bray, Rathdrum, Boystown, Roundwood, Ashford, Brittas Bay, An Láithreach
For the wider travel overview: County Wicklow.
