Poulaphouca, officially Pollaphuca (),Placenames Database of Ireland is the name of a waterfall and bridge on the River Liffey between County Wicklow and County Kildare. It is primarily known for its hydroelectric generating station and the associated artificial lake, known as Poulaphouca Reservoir, Poulaphouca Lake, or Blessington Lakes. The once-famous Poulaphouca Waterfall has little water running over it any longer because of the hydroelectric project.
Poulaphouca waterfall and bridge A waterfall immediately west of the bridge, renowned as a beauty spot from at least the 18th century, was lost with the construction of the Poulaphouca Reservoir. The waterfall, marked as 'Poolapooka - a remarkable cataract' on Noble & Keenan's map of 1752, is depicted and described in the Post-Chaise Companion of 1786, when Ballymore parish was still within Dublin:
Both Pollaphuca Bridge and a second bridge, crossing a dry gorge 150m to the southwest, were designed by Alexander Nimmo in Gothic style and built between 1822 and 1827 for a total cost of £4,704. Poulaphouca Bridge replaced Horsepass Bridge to the northeast, now under Poulaphouca Reservoir.Wright, G. N. 1822. Guide to the County of Wicklow. Dublin pp. 152-153: The 1822 'Guide' describes construction of the bridge as about to commence. The completed bridge is described in the 1827 'Guide'.Wright, G.N. 1827. A Guide to the County of Wicklow. Dublin. pp. 162-164.Ruddock, Ted 2008. Arch Bridges and Their Builders 1735-1835. p. 198. Wright's Guide to the County of Wicklow describes the bridge and waterfall in 1827:
Rail connection A four-and-a-half-mile extension of the Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway terminated at Poulaphouca. It was built by the and opened on 1 May 1895. Service ended in 1932.The Dublin & Blessington Steam TramwayTicket to hide, 12 June 2005, The Times. Retrieved on 25-07-06. The ticket office survives as a private residence immediately northeast of the bridge on the N81 road.
References in media In James Joyce's novel Ulysses, Poulaphouca is the site of a childhood indiscretion (masturbation) by protagonist Leopold Bloom, who hallucinates the waterfall as a speaking character in the chapter "Circe".
See also List of towns and villages in Ireland
References
External links ESB history of hydroelectricity development 2005 Irish Independent article about the sale of the Tramway House at Poulaphouca Beneath the Poulaphuca Reservoir Early photograph of Poulaphouca Bridge and Waterfall on South Dublin County Council Libraries Website