Waterbus trips on Blessingt on lakes

December 1993

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be given a new opportunity to explore the delights of the Blessington Lakes next summer when a local company starts to offer hour-long waterbus tours.

A 78-seater waterbus, the M.V. Blessington, will take tourists on pleasure trips around the lake from next March and provide them with a live commentary on the lore and history of the lakes.

The new service will fill a niche which has existed in the tourist market in Blessington for many years.

The company behind the new service is Wicklow Waterbus Cruises Ltd, a local firm set up to develop this project.

Two people will be employed initially, along with casual workers, but it is hoped that this figure will increase later.

The cruises will be aimed at overseas visitors and day trippers and will also cater for school tours, with free passage for certain groups.

Taped commentaries will be available in a number of languages for foreign tourists.

Advance bookings have already been received for next May, June, July, and August, according to company spokesman, John Breslin.

Intensive marketing will be undertaken both a home and abroad.

‘We feel very strongly that Blessington has a lot to offer the tourist and has failed to capitalise on its potential with regard to the lakes. Nowhere in Europe, and probably the world, does such a huge amenity lake exist so close to a capital city which has not been capitalised on,’ said Mr Breslin who runs his own business in Brannockstown.

‘We believe this development will have a major spin-off benefit for the local tourism industry and the area in general. It will help to place Blessington more firmly on the tourist map,’ he said.

Mr Breslin praised the ESB for its positive attitude towards the community and lake users generally, and said that agreeing to allow the cruises on the lake was evidence of this.’

The chairman of Wicklow County Tourism Cllr Michael Lawlor has welcomed this latest development on the Blessington lakes which has come about following a change in attitude by the ESB.

‘ There is even further potential to be developed in the Blessington lakes area. What is needed now is further investment in the area of accomodation to take full advantage of this change,’ he said.