History of Bray - Entertainment - Attractions - Family Activities - Restaurants - Bars/NightClubs

Bray is a popular seaside town in the County of Wicklow, and is the longest established Seaside resort in Ireland . Known as the Gateway to the Garden of Ireland, its mile long beachfront promenade, is surrounded by the beautiful Bray Head and Sugarloaf mountains. Only 30 minutes from Ireland’s Capital, Dublin, it is a perfect location for a holiday or weekend away.

By the middle of the 19th century, Bray, due to tourism development, was known as the Brighton of Ireland. From a one-street town in 1838, today, Bray is a busy urban centre. The town retains some of the reminders of the distant medieval past and much of its out-standing Georgian and
Victorian architecture.

Entertainment

The town boasts fine hotels, shops, restaurants, Mermaid Arts Centre Theatre and evening entertainment. Also available in the immediate locality are golf courses, tennis, fishing, sailing, and horse riding.

Mermaid Arts Centre

The Mermaid Arts Centre Bray offers throughout the year, a wide variety of entertainment including innovative dance, spellbinding theatre, cutting edge music and art-house cinema. The Mermaid aims to present the best of national and international artistic activity in dance, theatre, visual art music (of all types), literature and opera, and to provide a forum for local artistic events.

Mermaid Arts Centre contains a 242 seat auditorium which hosts a wide variety of music, theatre dance and a state-of-the-art 35mm film projector with full surround sound. Our airy and bright gallery has a total floor space of 165sq meters.

The relaxed and comfortable Betelnut Café is open for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee. Drinks are available pre show and during intervals. For a Listing of upcoming events go to www.mermaidartscentre.ie

Bray Wanderers Football Club

Bray Wanderers Football Club is Wicklow’s only eircom League of Ireland Football Club. In over 80 years of existence they have provided the local community with many memorable moments to cherish and reminisce about, including 2 FAI Cup Final victories in 1990 and 1999, First Division Championships 1985/6, 95/96, 99/00. Shield Winners 95/96 and Enda McGuill Cup winners 05. Based in the Carlisle Grounds, the grounds are only a stone’s throw away from both Bray Main Street and Bray beach.
If you’re in Bray on a match night why not check out the special atmosphere that the people of Bray and the Carlisle Grounds create. For upcoming games, please check www.braywanderers.com

Bray Golf Club

Tel: +353 1 2763200 Fax: + 353 1 2763262

Email: info@braygolfclub.com

Bray Golf Club is a magnificent USGA-standard parkland course, set in nearly 200 acres, between Bray Head and the Sugar Loaf Mountain with magnificent views of Killiney Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. Described as “spectacular in every aspect”, Bray combines stunning scenery with a classic layout. The course, which has been in play for 3 years, was designed by Des Smyth (2006 Ryder Cup Vice-Captain) and Declan Brannigan. The choice of three tees on each hole provides the player with three different tests of golf. The Blue tees total 5990 metres in length, with the white measuring 5645 metres and the yellow tees 5188 metres. To discuss your requirements and check availability, please contact: Email: info@braygolfclub.com Tel: +353 1 2763200 Fax: +353 1 2763262

Brennanstown Riding School , Bray
Tel: +353 (0)1 2863778
email: info@brennanstownrs.ie
Brennanstown Riding School is situated in the magnificent Hollywood demesne, adjacent to the famous Killruddery Estate in Bray. The school has excellent indoor and outdoor facilities with qualified instruction. All levels are catered for and children of all ages are accepted for riding instruction.

Bray Jazz Festival

Web: www.brayjazz.com

Bray Jazz Festival is an international music event weekend that takes place in the North Wicklow seaside town on the May Bank Holiday weekend of each year. Established in the Millennium year, the festival has hosted performances by artists at the very cutting edge of contemporary jazz from at home and abroad - including performers from across Europe, the United States, South America, Africa and the Far East.

The festival was started with funding support from the National Millennium Committee and from other public and private sector backers. It currently receives funding support from the Arts Council of Ireland, from Diageo Ireland, from Bray Town Council, Wicklow Co Council, from Lennox Estates, Bord Failte, and others. Since its earliest days Bray Jazz has also attracted widespread public support - and the event has become a 'date in the diary' for an ever increasing number of music lovers from both across Ireland and abroad.

Bray Summerfest Festival

Web: www.braysummerfest.com

Bray Summerfest festival is the biggest community based summer festival on the east coast, and the most significant tourism promotion in bray’s annual calendar. Bray Summerfest runs over a 6 week period, from early July into Mid-August. With free live music events and family entertainment in abundance. Events include: The seafront Carnival Funderland, Fireworks Extravaganza, Irish and Continental seafront markets, live Street entertainment, party in the park, Scruffs Dog show, puppet shows, International Beach Volleyball tournament, lots of family fun and the Miss Face of Bray Contest, there is lots for all age groups.

Bray St Patricks Carnival and Parade

A five day festival which is run by the Bray & District Chamber every year to celebration our national holiday. Re-launched by Bray Chamber with phenomenal success, Bray Chamber’s events team provide a big family festival to celebrate the St Patrick's festivities – including town’s massive Carnival Parade which consists of community youth, civic and arts groups. The parade begins at 3pm at the Bray Town Hall Quarter, and makes its way through Bray Town Centre, along Seymour Road and Seapoint Road beside the Carlisle Grounds, and finishing on Bray Seafront. The festival also includes three days of Céilí Mór on the Bray Seafront Promenade Bandstand, live music performances on Bray Main Street, and of course Ireland's biggest-ever St Patrick's Day Carnival. With so much packed into one weekend, the Bray St Patrick's Carnival & Parade truly is a “rollercoaster” weekend of family entertainment for every age – from four to 84!

Restaurants

Andrews Chinese Restaurant, Castle Street, Bray

Barracuda Steak & Seafood Restaurant, Strand, Bray

Campo De Flori, Italian Restaurant, just off Strand Road, Bray

Cape Greko, Greek Restaurant, Main Street, Bray

Jasmine Chinese Restaurant, Main Street, Bray

Palazzo, Strand Road, Bray

Pizza’s N Cream, Albert Walk, Bray

Sanam Tandoori Indian Restaurant, Castle Street, Bray

Shelbys Brasserie, Main Street, Bray

Tower Bistro, Heather House Hotel, Strand Road, Bray

Weeping Thai Restaurant, Arcade, Main Street, Bray

Bars / Night-clubs

Ardmore Bar, Main Street,

Atmospheric Bar, beside Dart Station, Bray

Boomerang, Quinnsboro Road, Bray

Clancys Bar, Qinnsboro Road, Bray

Coach Inn, Dublin Road, Bray

Goldsmiths, Quinnsboro Road, Bray

Harbour Bar, Harbour, Bray

Hibernian Inn, Station Road, Bray

Hollands Bar, Main Street, Bray

Jim Doyle’s Bar, Strand Road, Bray

Kavanagh’s Bar, Castle Street, Bray

Katie Gallaghers, Strand Road, Bray

Kellys Lounge, Vevay Road, Bray

Koo Night Club, Strand Road, Bray

Martello Bar, Strand Road, Bray

Ocean Bar, Quinnsboro Road, Bray

O’Driscoll’s Seaside Bar, Strand Road, Bray

Olde Bray Inn, Main Street, Bray

Porterhouse, Strand Road, Bray

Porthouse Bac Bar Night Club, Strand Road, Bray

Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray

Vevay Inn, Vevay Road, Bray

Attractions

Attractions include the beautiful Killruddery House (www.killruddery.ie), Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall (www.powerscourt.ie), located beside the New Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bray Heritage Centre, and James Joyce’s House.

Killruddery House

Tel: 00 353 (0) 404 46024
email: info@killruddery.com
The Estate Office
Tel & Fax: 00 353 (0) 1 286 3405

Killruddery House is surrounded by magnificent formal Gardens dating from the 17th century.   Visitors can have a guided tour of the House and/or walk in the Gardens during the open season.  

It is a superb venue for corporate, private and cultural event hire.    Killruddery is renowned as a location for internationally successful film productions such as My Left Foot, Far and Away, Lassie and Becoming Jane.  

James Joyce House

James Joyce lived in Bray between 1889 and 1891 at One Martello Terrace, which was the setting for a scene in the famous novel 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'. Today the house is owned by an Irish Member Of Parliament. Limited tours are available.

Bray Heritage Centre

The Old Courthouse was erected in 1841 and is now home to the Tourist Information Office and Heritage Centre. There is a permanent exhibition called "From Strongbow to Steam" which covers the history of Bray from 1173 to the coming of the railway in 1853. Meet "John the Mad", viking warrior from the 14th century, ride the steam train along Bray Head and understand 19th century life in Bray. The centre is across the street from the Royal Hotel.

Bray Tourist Information Office operates 6 days per week all year round. For further information, call Eileen or Maureen on 01-2866796.

Bray Seafront & Promenade

Bray’s seafront & Promenade is a beautiful place to walk. The beach and sea are surrounded by Bray Head and the Sugarloaf mountains. The Prom stretches a mile long with Bray Harbour at one end and Bray Head at the other. The little huts sell Ice-cream, candy floss and refreshments during the summer months.

Bray Farmers Market

The Bray Farmers Market is on every Saturday morning, outside the Bray Heritage Centre and the Royal Hotel. Open 11am – 3pm. For more information contact Jackie Spillane at 087-9573647 or email market@dlrcoco.ie.

Powerscourt Waterfall
Enniskerry Tel:+353 (0)1 2046000
This is the highest waterfall in Ireland and it is a wonderful location to visit for a picnic on a nice day. With designated picnic areas, a kids playground , which includes a water and sand feature, a unique "space net" and vast areas of green space in which to play, with breathtaking views and scenery.

Avondale House & Forest Park
Rathdrum
Tel: +353 (0) 404 46111
email costelloe_j@coillte.ie
This is the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of Ireland's greatest ever political leaders. Set in a magnificent forest park of over 500 acres, there are a number of tree trails and walks to suit everyone. It is a wonderful place in which kids can explore the wonders of nature and enjoy the vast open spaces. The house itself contains many original pieces of furniture and visitors are introduced to it via an audio visual presentation. There are excellent facilities here, including a picnic areas, children's play area, gift shop and restaurant.

Ardmore Film Studios

Bray is also home to Ardmore Studios, where many well know films, documentaries, series have been made. Bray is part of the Wicklow Film Trail, with such films as My Left Foot, Michael Collins and The Commitments shot around the area.

Family Activities

Family activities include the National Sea Life Aquarium (www.sealife.ie), the variety of Amusement Centres, Carnival Attractions, Bowling Alleys, Local open Farms (Glenroe, Kilcoole), Brennanstown Riding School, etc.

National Sea Life Centre
Seafront, Bray
Tel: +353 (0)1 2866939
Email: pjos@eircom.net
The National Sea Life Museum in Bray is a state of the art, hi -tech marine experience displaying 70 different sea and freshwater species. Everything from congor eels to sharks, giant crabs, seahorses and stingrays making an unforgettable experience. Discover a magical underwater world as you follow a silvery stream from its source to the ocean beyond. Enjoy close encounters at the touch pools with live demonstrations. Enjoy multilevel viewing, featuring hundreds of different sea and freshwater creatures. The Sea life centre is an excellent place at which to spend a few hours and it truly is an exceptional experience. A must see for kids who will learn a great deal about sea life, in a fun environment.

Bray Leisure Bowl

Quinnsboro Rd (50 Yards from Bray Dart Station)

Tel: +353 (0) 1 2864455

Bray Leisure Bowl on the Quinnsboro Road in Bray, is only 50 yards from the Dart Station. There is a wide range of activities to cater for all ages - 20 Ten Pin bowling lanes, 30 Snooker & Pool tables, Quasar Laser gun games, a video Arcade, hi-jinks play centre and snack bar. Mon – Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat, Sun 10am – 11pm. Underground car parking available for customers.

Dawson’s Amusement Centre

Strand Road, beside Bray Head.

Tel: +353 (0) 1 2860974

Indoor entertainment for the whole family with Dodgems, Games, Rides, child play structures, Jesters Play area, Flight Simulators and more.

Star Amusements

Strand Road, Bray

Tel: +353 (0) 1 2863540

Games, Kiddies Rides, Simulators, Snooker & Pool tables, Casinos.

Glenroe Open Farm, Kilcoole
Tel: +353 (0) 1 2872288
email: mail@glenroefarm.com

This is an open farm, which offers close access to a large selection of farm animals and pets. It is a great experience for kids, who can see a variety of farm animals up close and in real life. It is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about farm life, feed the animals and hold the rabbits and gunnea pigs. There is also an old cottage so visitors can see what it was like for families living many years ago. In close proximity to Bray, the Open Farm allows kids to experience life on a farm. There is a playground, shop and a coffee shop on site.

 

Brennanstown Riding School , Bray
Tel: +353 (0)1 2863778
email: info@brennanstownrs.ie
Brennanstown Riding School is situated in the magnificent Hollywood demesne, adjacent to the famous Killruddery Estate in Bray. The school has excellent indoor and outdoor facilities with qualified instruction. All levels are catered for and children of all ages are accepted for riding instruction.

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