The N81 road is a National Secondary Route in the Republic of Ireland, connecting Dublin with Tullow, County Carlow. The road is a dual carriageway between Tempelogue and west of Tallaght, known as the Tallaght Bypass or Blessington Road. It interesects with the M50 motorway at Junction 11.

It is the only major national road emanating from Dublin that is a national secondary rather than national primary road.

History

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The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway once took this route from Terenure to Blessington before it was closed in 1932 due to falling passenger numbers.

In the 90s when it was proposed to restablish a tram system in Dublin due to cronic traffic congestion (see LUAS), the old tram route from the City Centre via Terenure to Tallaght was proposed.

Unfortunately this route was later ruled out as a result of space constraints and the pipes under the N81 route seemingly being too old in the Terenure area, thus proving to be a great deal more expensive for utility diversion. The LUAS instead opted to take a less direct route from the City to Tallaght, following the Southern Canal ring and then moving south to Tallaght alongside the M50 Motorway.

Roads in Ireland