Blessington Lake - SOT Kayak

Dowee · 29-03-2019 6:25pm #1

Hi, I have Sit on Top Kayak which I usually take in the sea but I'm hoping to try the Blessington Lakes / Reservoirs this spring / summer.

I have already gotten the permit from the ESB and was just wondering if anyone had any advice on the best places to enter the water. I know the area quite well from cycling around it and am aware of a few options but just wondering if there are any regular spots people use.

Thanks in advance.

iwillhtfu · 30-03-2019 7:39pm

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Poulaphouca+Reservoir/@53.1499804,-6.5373924,224m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x48679b7c38304637:0xd61b7b9845e9dc33!8m2!3d53.123333!4d-6.505833

Seems as good a spot as anywhere carpark close by. I'd say my biggest concern would be where I left the car. There's also that lakeshore holiday park but not sure how private it is but they have a jetty and SOTs regularly around the area.

Dowee · 31-03-2019 4:20pm

Thanks for that. That looks like a good spot alright.

lgk · 17-04-2019 2:39pm

Car park at Russeltown Bay would work too. Total Experience launch their trips from there.

Dowee · 01-05-2019 8:30pm

lgk wrote: »

Car park at Russeltown Bay would work too. Total Experience launch their trips from there.

Thanks, looks like another good spot.

Muahahaha · 19-06-2020 6:20pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Poulaphouca+Reservoir/@53.1499804,-6.5373924,224m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x48679b7c38304637:0xd61b7b9845e9dc33!8m2!3d53.123333!4d-6.505833

Seems as good a spot as anywhere carpark close by. I'd say my biggest concern would be where I left the car. There's also that lakeshore holiday park but not sure how private it is but they have a jetty and SOTs regularly around the area.

That spot is decent but it can suffer from the odd car break in. The other spot mentioned at Russeltown would be busier and therefore hopefully less chance of a break in.

Not sure if they allow it but if they do then Blessington Sailing Club would be a great place to launch. Aside from a safe private car park with lots of club members about it is probably the best part of the entire lake to launch in terms of views. I know a rowing club operates out of there but not sure if they'll let individual kayakers launch there. Would be worth ringing them and asking as you'd have no worries there about your car getting broken into and you can park just a few metres from the shoreline.
http://www.blessingtonsailingclub.com/

Blessington Lake - SOT Kayak

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