"Tales from a Drowned Valley" - Kildare historian Seamus Cullen examines the flooding of Blessington Lake
Kildare historian Seamus Cullen explores the flooding of Blessington Lake at Curragh Local History Group talk
The Curragh Local History Group has once again chosen a very interesting topic for it’s regular talks.
Guest speaker Seamus Cullen will deliver a talk titled: " Tales From A Drowned Valley : The Flooding of Blessington Lake", at 8pm, Tuesday, October 27 at Suncroft Community Complex (R56T921).
Members of the public are invited to drop in from 7.30pm onwards for a cuppa and chat. A gentle reminder to members that subs of €20 are now due. The group will hold a very brief EGM meeting before the talk to elect a new treasurer.
This talk is bound to attract a crowd. Between 1938 and 1940, the beautiful valley at Poulaphouca, Co. Wicklow changed from sheltering communities complete with bridges, houses, villages, farms, a church, a graveyard, and the village of Ballinahown, to a man-made lake which provides a water supply to Dublin city and surrounds as well as electricity.
Some 76 houses were demolished and bridges at Humphreystown, Baltyboys and Burgage were blown up, a 12th century cross was moved to the safety of Blessington cemetery, and Poulaphouca Dam and hydroelectric station were constructed.
Flooding of the valley began in March 1940, eighty years ago this month, and the landscape at Poulaphouca was changed forever.
As water levels rose, the lakes gradually submerged over 5,000 acres of farmland, bog and homesteads.