Poulaphouca Reservoir, also widely known as Blessington Lake or Blessington Lakes, is an artificial lake in County Wicklow, Ireland, located approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Dublin. It was created in the 1940s following the construction of a dam on the River Liffey, and upon completion became the largest man-made lake in Ireland. The reservoir is managed by the ESB (Electricity Supply Board), which operates it as part of a hydroelectric power plant and also manages it as a mixed fishery.

The reservoir has been used for recreational boating and paddling for decades. Canoe and kayak access to the water is available from the shoreline, and boat launching facilities are located at Russborough, Tulfaris, and Burgage Bridge. The Poulaphouca Paddlers club is based at Russelstown Bay in Blessington and is a registered club with Canoe Ireland, adhering to that organisation's safety guidelines and training standards. Guided kayak tours are also available through commercial operators such as The Avon, covering distances of roughly 6 to 10 kilometres depending on conditions and group pace, with safety briefings and equipment provided.

The reservoir is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for wild birds, notably used for roosting by Greylag Geese, and is also recognised as a wildfowl sanctuary. Paddlers should be aware of this designation and the wildlife present. The surrounding landscape includes views of the Wicklow Mountains, areas of commercial forestry, and the nearby 18th-century Palladian mansion Russborough House.

Fish species present in the reservoir include brown trout, northern pike, European perch, roach, and freshwater bream. The trout season runs from 1 March to 30 September, with a bag limit of six brown trout per day and a minimum size of nine inches. Coarse angling is permitted year-round except during October. An ESB boat permit and number is required for boat anglers, which may also be relevant for paddlers using the water. Paddlers planning a trip should verify current permit requirements with the ESB before launching.

The Blessington Greenway, a walking trail of approximately 6 kilometres, skirts the edge of the reservoir and connects Blessington with Russborough House, providing a useful reference point for paddlers orienting themselves along the western and southern shores.