Living in Blessington, Co. Wicklow: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Blessington
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Blessington
- Schools in Blessington
- Things to do in and around Blessington
- Where Blessington is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Blessington
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Blessington
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Blessington
- Nearby Wicklow towns
- Population and demographics
Is Blessington a nice place to live?
Blessington is home to about 1,851 households, 69% owner-occupied and 27% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €414,000, versus €512,500 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,697 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 8 schools keyed to the town (7 primary, 1 post-primary), and there are 17 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Sallins, 12 km away, and 5 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Blessington is a town in Co. Wicklow, about 31 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 8 schools, 68.9% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €414,000 to buy or €1,697 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.9% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 76 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Blessington: 68.9% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Blessington
5,611 people live in Blessington on Census 2022 night. 69% of households own their home and 27% rent, so Blessington leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (63%). It skews young: 24% are under 15 against 10% aged 65 and over. 39% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 5,611 |
| Owner-occupied households | 69% |
| Rented households | 27% |
| Aged under 15 | 24% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 26% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10% |
| Third level or higher | 39% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 60% |
| Unemployment rate | 5% |
| Commute by car | 63% |
| Commute by public transport | 11% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 21% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Blessington built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Sallins (12.0 km away), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Blessington: 3 operators
Getting around Blessington
Blessington is served by 3 public-transport operators running 5 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 65 - Poolbeg Street - Blessington/Ballymore
- 132 - Dublin - Carnew - Bunclody
- 65A - Route 65A Tallaght Sq - Blessington
- 885 - Baltinglass - Sallins
- 895 - Sallins - Glendalough
Source: Transport for Ireland GTFS_All feed (NTA), CC-BY 4.0. Stops matched to the town within a 6 km radius; route list capped.
Schools in Blessington
There are 7 primary and 1 post-primary schools in and around Blessington.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blessington Community College | Post-primary | 715 | |
| S N Mhuire Senior School | Primary | 296 | |
| S N Muire | Primary | 235 | |
| Blessington 1 N S | Primary | 195 | |
| Gaelscoil Na Lochanna | Primary | 151 | |
| Kilbride N S | Primary | 97 | |
| Blessington Educate Together Ns | Primary | 95 | |
| Lacken Mxd N S | Primary | 91 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Blessington
- Heritage nearby: Old Kilcullen Monastic Site (17 km) · Kilmashogue Megalithic Tomb (20 km) · Rathfarnham Castle (22 km) · Glendalough (23 km)
- Walking trails in County Wicklow: Wicklow Way · Arklow Loops Glenart Walk · Arklow Loops Kynoch Walk · Arklow Loops Love Lane Walk
- Nature reserves: Wicklow Mountains National Park · Glendalough Nature Reserve · Glenealo Valley Nature Reserve
Where Blessington is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Blessington
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €414,000 (+3.5% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,697 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.9% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.8% |
| Wicklow county median | €512k |
| New build / second-hand | n/a / €414,000 |
Recent sales in Blessington
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 26 | 2 BEECHDALE GROVE, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €595,000 |
| 22 Sep 26 | BALLYNATONA, MANOR KILBRIDE, BLESSINGTON | Second-hand | €595,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 10 WOODLEIGH WAY, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €273,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 37 ASHTON, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €570,000 |
| 15 Sep 26 | NO 28 MILLTOWN GATE, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €555,000 |
| 08 Sep 26 | KNOCKIERAN, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €585,000 |
| 02 Sep 26 | 1 ST JOSEPHS RD, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €382,000 |
| 02 Sep 26 | 12 DEERPARK CLOSE, BLESSINGTON, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €458,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Blessington median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €440,000 | 140 sales | |
| 2024 | €449,999 | 149 sales | |
| 2025 | €380,000 | 52 sales | |
| 2026 | €442,000 | 53 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Blessington
Since 1 March 2026 a rent review is capped at the lower of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation.
The full March 2026 rent review rules
Blessington compared with County Wicklow
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Wicklow median | 512000 | |
| Blessington | 414000 |
Rent or buy in Blessington?
At a glance: €414,000 to buy versus €1,697 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Blessington
The median home (€414,000) falls in LPT Band 3, a base charge of €333 a year before Wicklow County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Blessington: the March 2026 rent rules
Every rent increase is now capped at the lesser of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation, nationwide since 1 March 2026. A review needs 90 days' notice on the RTB form, no more than one in any 12 months, and the notice must cite three comparable homes from the RTB Rent Register. Check any rent increase against the legal cap, or see average rents for every Leinster town.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Blessington
In the 12 months to September 2026, 61 planning grants were recorded in and around Blessington, including 13 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-28 | and Permission for change of house types previously approved under planning permission Pl. Ref: 21/1606 on sites 13-16 inclusive, site 30 and 32-34... | 8 |
| 2025-10-08 | for amendments to a previously approved planning application granted under Planning Ref. 24/61098 including moderate relocation of house, equine... | 1 |
| 2026-09-15 | two storey dwelling with detached garage with treatment plant and polishing filter along with a shared entrance and all associated site works | 1 |
| 2025-11-14 | for a single storey dwelling house (c. 230 sqm gross floor area), and provision of a domestic garage (c. 49 sqm), wastewater treatment system... | 1 |
| 2026-04-08 | existing single storey house as construction on site (including new location and orientation on site), retention of relocation of access driveway on... | 1 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 13 homes approved here in the last year are about 1% of Blessington's roughly 1,851 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Blessington, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Blessington, Wicklow.
View the official OPW flood maps for Blessington →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 155,851 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +9.4% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 100.7 |
| New dwelling permissions (Mid-East region, 2017) | 657 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Wicklow towns
Delgany · Greystones · Kilcoole · Newtownmountkennedy · Bray · Wicklow
All Wicklow house prices · All Leinster house prices
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Blessington
What's it like to live in Blessington?
Blessington is a town in Co. Wicklow, about 31 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 8 schools, 68.9% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Blessington?
A home in Blessington costs a median €414,000 to buy or €1,697 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Blessington to Dublin?
About 31 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Blessington?
Schools in Blessington include Blessington Community College, S N Mhuire Senior School, S N Muire, Blessington 1 N S, among 7 primary and 1 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Blessington?
Blessington had a population of 5,611 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Blessington had a population of 5,611 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 5,611 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,851 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69% |
| Rented homes | 27% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
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Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 53 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €414,000.
Could a home in Blessington pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Blessington's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2025). Change any figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
What can you afford to buy in Blessington?
Pre-filled with Blessington's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Blessington property
Pre-filled with Blessington's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Blessington home
Pre-filled with Blessington's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Blessington
Pre-filled with Blessington's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
What a month in Blessington costs
Real figures for Blessington: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Blessington's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
More on Blessington
- Blessington house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Blessington: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Wicklow: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Wicklow: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.