Bray was once a refined Victorian Resort that
attracted people from all over Ireland and the
UK. At the height of popularity visitors could
take advantage of a bath house, boating, lawn
games, fishing and a seafront aquarium. The
train from Dublin made traveling to seaside
resorts much easier.
Over time, people's attitudes have changed with
the ease of travel around the world. This saw
the decline of this once bustling seaside resort,
as others around the country. The aquarium closed
and eventually sold, the bath house shut, and
the rest of it just faded away.
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Bray Seafront,
view from Bray Head |
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Summer Carnival
at Bray Seafront
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However, today, Bray
is seeing a revival of sorts. The aquarium is back
open and has undergone extensive remodeling. Arcades
are open for youngsters, the boaters and fishers
are back, as well as swimmers, walkers and sun worshipers,
and the promenade shuttle is back with a new paint
job and longer running hours in the tourist season.
And in the summer months visitors can find a seaside
carnival with rides for the kids (photo left) along
the mile long stretch of Victorian promenade. |
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At the north end of the promenade is Bray Harbour
(photo right). Here visitors will find a small
sheltered harbour where the Bray Yacht Club launch
their boats and locals anchor their yachts. The
mouth of the River Dargle flows into the harbour
and it's here that visitors will find dozens of
swans, Ireland's national protected bird, clammoring
for the bit of bread.
South of the seafront is Bray Head where the
adventurouse can climb to the top for a birds
eye view of the Bray seafront, or walk along the
cliff walk to Greystones.
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Bray Harbour |
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