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{{short description |Town in County Wicklow, Ireland}}{{Other uses|Bray (disambiguation){{!}}Bray}}{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2018}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

factoids

| subdivision_type = Country| subdivision_name = IrelandProvinces of Ireland>ProvinceCounties of Ireland>County| subdivision_name1 = Leinster| subdivision_name2 = County Wicklow| leader_title2 = Dáil constituencyWicklow (Dáil constituency)>WicklowEuropean Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland>EP constituencySouth (European Parliament constituency)>South| unit_pref = Metric| area_total_km2 = 9.9| elevation_m = 18PUBLISHER=CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE (IRELAND) >YEAR=2022, 30 June 2023, 2022 census of Ireland>2022| population_density_km2 = 3,398List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland>10thWest European Time>WET| utc_offset1 = +0Irish Standard Time>IST (WEST)| utc_offset1_DST = +1Postal addresses in the Republic of Ireland>Eircode (Routing Key)| postal_code = A98| area_code = 01 (+3531)www.bray.ie}}| blank_name = Irish Grid Reference| blank_info = O264185}}Bray ({{Irish place name|Bré}} {{IPA-ga|bʲɾʲeː|}})WEB,www.logainm.ie/en/16662, Irish Placenames Commission, logainm.ie, Bré / Bray, 24 August 2018, 13 June 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180613161203/https://www.logainm.ie/en/16662, live, is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about {{cvt|20|km|mi|spell=}} south of Dublin city centre on the east coast. It has a population of 33,512 making it the tenth largest urban area within Ireland (at the 2022 census). Bray is home to Ardmore Studios, and some light industry is located in the town, with some business and retail parks on its southern periphery. Commuter links between Bray and Dublin are provided by rail, Dublin Bus and the M11 and M50 motorways. Parts of the town’s northern outskirts are in County Dublin.WEB, Bray: Gateway to Wicklow {{!, Wicklow.ie |url=https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Your-Council/Municipal-Districts/Bray/Gateway-to-the-Garden-of-Ireland |access-date=2021-10-24 |website=www.wicklow.ie |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022060417www.wicklow.ie/Living/Your-Council/Municipal-Districts/Bray/Gateway-to-the-Garden-of-Ireland |url-status=live }}Originally developed as a planned resort town in the 19th century, Bray’s popularity as a seaside resort was serviced by the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, which was extended to Bray in 1854. During the late 20th century, the town’s use as a resort declined when foreign travel became an option for holiday-makers. However, day-trippers continued to come to Bray during the summer months.

Etymology

The name Bray is an anglicisation of the Irish , whose meaning is unclear. Liam Price suggested it may be an old name for the River Dargle or a tributary. In 1875 P. W. Joyce mistakenly ascribed the Irish name , an old word meaning “hill”, referring in this case to Bray Head.BOOK, Joyce, P. W. (Patrick Weston), The origin and history of Irish names of places, 1875, 1, 4th, McGlashan & Gill, Dublin, 390,babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015010831025&view=1up&seq=412, 10 June 2019, 3 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200703135307/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015010831025&view=1up&seq=412, live, In a 1905 Gaelic League publication advocating use of Irish-language postal addresses, Seosamh Laoide coined the name “Brí in Cualu”, as part of his policy that “If the name of the town [in Irish] be one word, the [ancient Gaelic] territory should be added to it in the genitive case”.BOOK, Laoide [Lloyd], Seosamh [Joseph Henry], Post-Sheanchas i n-a bhfuil cúigí, dúithchí, conntaethe, agus bailte puist na hÉireann, 1905, Gaelic League, Dublin,archive.org/details/postsheanchasina00lloy, 16, 10 June 2019, Irish, en, and remained in use in the mid 20th century despite having been refuted by Liam Price and Osborn Bergin. was adopted by statute in 1975.WEB, Ryan, Richie, I.R. Uimh. 133/1975 - An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Foirmeacha Gaeilge) (Uimh. 1) (Postbhailte) 1975,www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1975/si/133/made/ga/print, electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB), 10 June 2019, Irish, 25 May 1975, 18 June 2019,www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1975/si/133/made/ga/print," title="web.archive.org/web/20190618195553www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1975/si/133/made/ga/print,">web.archive.org/web/20190618195553www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1975/si/133/made/ga/print, live,

History

File:Bray Esplanade c. 1900.png|thumb|left|Tourists along the Bray 1900}}During the medieval period of Irish history, Bray was situated on the southern border of the Pale, and the coastal district was governed directly by the English crown from Dublin Castle. Inland, the countryside was largely under the control of Gaelic Chieftains, such as the O’Toole and O’Byrne clans. Bray features on the 1598 map “A Modern Depiction of Ireland, One of the British Isles“WEB,www.wdl.org/en/item/104/zoom.html, A Modern Depiction of Ireland, One of the British Isles, 4 August 2016, 7 October 2011,www.wdl.org/en/item/104/zoom.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20111007051806www.wdl.org/en/item/104/zoom.html,">web.archive.org/web/20111007051806www.wdl.org/en/item/104/zoom.html, live, by Abraham Ortelius as “Brey”. William Brabazon, 1st Earl of Meath purchased the Killruddery Estate in Bray in 1627 with the establishment of the Earl title.The Dublin and Kingstown Railway, the first in Ireland, opened in 1834 and was extended as far as Bray in 1854. With the coming of the railway in the mid-19th century, the town grew to become a seaside resort. It was developed primarily by local entrepreneurs as a planned resort town, modelled on the seaside resorts of the English south-coast, specifically Brighton. Hotels and residential terraces were built in the vicinity of the seafront. Railway entrepreneur William Dargan developed the Turkish baths, designed in a Moorish style at a cost of £10,000; built in 1859, these were demolished in 1980.JOURNAL,www.historyireland.com/volumes/volume15/issue6/news/?id=114148, Bray’s Turkish Baths, History Ireland, 15, 6, 16 November 2007,www.historyireland.com/volumes/volume15/issue6/news/?id=114148," title="web.archive.org/web/20110315011606www.historyireland.com/volumes/volume15/issue6/news/?id=114148,">web.archive.org/web/20110315011606www.historyireland.com/volumes/volume15/issue6/news/?id=114148, 15 March 2011, Bray was a popular destination from the 1860s onwards. While small amenities such as regattas, firework displays and band performances were plentiful in the town, Bray failed to secure the necessary capital to develop major attractions and sustain tourism, leading to its decline in the early 1900s. Pleasure piers such as the Palace Pier were a mainstay of resorts at that time. Despite repeated efforts, Bray never acquired such a pier and abandoned plans to build one in 1906. Additional planned amenities which were never built included a concert hall, a theatre, an exhibition centre, a marine aquarium, winter gardens and an electrified tramway along the seafront. It experienced a brief revival from British tourists in the years immediately after World War II. However, Bray’s popularity as a seaside resort declined significantly when foreign travel became an option for holiday-makers. Its proximity to Dublin still makes it a popular destination for day-trippers from the capital.WEB,s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.ria.ie/ihta/ihta-digital/towns-in-19th-century/bray/ihta-9-bray-text.pdf, Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA), no. 9, Bray, 10 August 2021, 10 August 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210810170758/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.ria.ie/ihta/ihta-digital/towns-in-19th-century/bray/ihta-9-bray-text.pdf, live,

Location

(File:Map of Bray.png|thumb|left|Map of Bray)The town is situated on the east coast to the south of County Dublin. Shankill, County Dublin lies to the north, and Greystones, County Wicklow to the south. The village of Enniskerry lies to the west of the town, at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. People participate in such sports as sailing, rowing, and swimming. The beach and seafront promenade are used by residents and visitors. While Bray’s promenade and south beach is to a Blue Flag standard,WEB,www.bray.ie/brays-south-promenade-regained-blue-flag-2018/, Bray’s South Promenade has regained the Blue Flag status for 2018 – bray.ie, 21 May 2018, 24 November 2018, 27 November 2018,www.bray.ie/brays-south-promenade-regained-blue-flag-2018/," title="web.archive.org/web/20181127051850www.bray.ie/brays-south-promenade-regained-blue-flag-2018/,">web.archive.org/web/20181127051850www.bray.ie/brays-south-promenade-regained-blue-flag-2018/, live, the north beach has been impacted by erosion and leaching pollution since the closure and sale of a municipal landfill in the late 20th century.NEWS,wicklownews.net/2018/03/progress-being-made-to-stop-coastal-erosion-at-bray-north-beach/, Progress being made to stop coastal erosion at Bray North Beach, 27 March 2018, 24 November 2018, 24 August 2018,wicklownews.net/2018/03/progress-being-made-to-stop-coastal-erosion-at-bray-north-beach/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180824183444wicklownews.net/2018/03/progress-being-made-to-stop-coastal-erosion-at-bray-north-beach/,">web.archive.org/web/20180824183444wicklownews.net/2018/03/progress-being-made-to-stop-coastal-erosion-at-bray-north-beach/, live, WEB,coastmonkey.ie/erosion-uncovers-toxic-waste-bray-beach/, Coastal erosion unearths toxic waste at Bray beach, 27 February 2017, 24 November 2018, 24 August 2018,coastmonkey.ie/erosion-uncovers-toxic-waste-bray-beach/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180824183215coastmonkey.ie/erosion-uncovers-toxic-waste-bray-beach/,">web.archive.org/web/20180824183215coastmonkey.ie/erosion-uncovers-toxic-waste-bray-beach/, live, NEWS,www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cost-to-clean-up-former-dump-at-bray-could-be-12m-1.3014984, Cost to clean up former dump at Bray could be €12m, 24 November 2018, 12 July 2017,www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cost-to-clean-up-former-dump-at-bray-could-be-12m-1.3014984," title="web.archive.org/web/20170712115258www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cost-to-clean-up-former-dump-at-bray-could-be-12m-1.3014984,">web.archive.org/web/20170712115258www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cost-to-clean-up-former-dump-at-bray-could-be-12m-1.3014984, live, The River Dargle which enters the sea at the north end of Bray rises from a source near Djouce, in the Wicklow Mountains. Bray Head is situated at the southern end of the Victorian Promenade with paths leading to the summit and along the sea cliffs. The rocks of Bray Head are a mixture of greywackes and quartzite. There is a large cross at the summit.WEB,www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/, Bray Head Walk, 24 November 2018, 20 November 2018,www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/," title="web.archive.org/web/20181120094626www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/,">web.archive.org/web/20181120094626www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/, live,

Climate

Bray has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), similar to most other towns in Ireland, with few extremes of temperature and abundant precipitation year round. However, Bray is relatively sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds by the Wicklow Mountains and receives around {{cvt|750|mm|0}} of rainfall per year.WEB,www.met.ie/climate/what-we-measure/rainfall, Climate of Ireland - Rainfall, met.ie, 21 July 2021, 21 July 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210721150345/https://www.met.ie/climate/what-we-measure/rainfall, live, The sunniest months on average are May and June, while October is by far the wettest.{| class=“wikitable” style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;”Average sea temperature in Bray, County WicklowHTTPS://SEATEMPERATURE.NET/CURRENT/IRELAND/BRAY-LEINSTER-IRELAND-SEA-TEMPERATURE, Sea Temperature - Bray, seatemperature.net, 27 June 2022, live, 27 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220627142906/https://seatemperature.net/current/ireland/bray-leinster-ireland-sea-temperature, |!Jan!Feb!Mar!Apr!May!Jun!Jul!Aug!Sep!Oct!Nov!Dec| Average Max (°C){{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}| Average Min (°C){{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}{{cvt°C|°F}}(File:Bray Beach, Ireland (2018).jpg|thumb|Seafront and Bray Head)

Access

Rail

A public transport network, both north into Dublin and south into County Wicklow and County Wexford, serves the town. Bray is on the Irish Rail DART Rail Network which stretches north to Malahide and Howth and south to Greystones. The town is also on the mainline InterCity and Commuter rail network which connects north to Connolly Station in Dublin city centre and further to Drogheda and Dundalk. To the south, the rail line goes through Arklow and Gorey before reaching Rosslare Europort. Bray’s railway station is named after Edward Daly, an executed leader of the 1916 Easter Rising. Bray Station was opened on 10 July 1854.WEB, Bray station, Railscot – Irish Railways,www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf, 8 September 2007, 2 March 2011,www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110302022802www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110302022802www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf, live, The Dublin and South Eastern Railway had two lines out from Bray into Dublin, the coastal line (formerly known as the Kingstown and Bray branch line) and the Harcourt Street line. The latter was closed in 1958 but most of it has been reopened as part of the Luas Green Line, which is proposed for an extension to Bray.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

Road

Bray lies along the M11 motorway corridor; an interchange at its northern side links with the M50 Dublin bypass.File:IMG BrayDalyStation5405.jpg|thumb|Bray Daly railway station.]]Several bus companies pass through Bray: Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Bus Éireann, Finnegan Bray, Aircoach, and St. Kevin’s Bus Service to Glendalough. Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland are the two primary bus operators in the town operating service on behalf of the NTA. Bus services serving the town include the 145 which is routed from Ballywaltrim, just south of Bray, to Heuston Station via UCD and Dublin city centre. Other routes include the 45A/B, 84/A, 84X, 84N, 155, 184 and 185.WEB, Home - Dublin Bus,www.dublinbus.ie/, 2023-04-06, www.dublinbus.ie, WEB, Go Ahead Ireland,www.goaheadireland.ie/, 2023-04-06, www.goaheadireland.ie, en, Aircoach operates a service to and from Dublin Airport, with two stops in Bray at Castle Street and Vevay Road. Wexford Bus also offer services to the village of Kilmacanogue, just to the south of Bray, with routes 740 and 740A. Finnegan Bray formerly offered a night bus service from DublinWEB,www.finnegan-bray.ie/page10.php, Night bus to Bray/ Greystones/Kilcoole, dead,www.finnegan-bray.ie/page10.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20120119092844www.finnegan-bray.ie/page10.php,">web.archive.org/web/20120119092844www.finnegan-bray.ie/page10.php, 19 January 2012, (route 984N), however, this was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid restrictions. It was discontinued in late 2022, with the company blaming “unfair competition from state subsidised services” in a Facebook post.WEB, Finnegan Bray,www.facebook.com/finnegan.bray, 2023-01-01, www.facebook.com, Comment by Finnegan Bray on 13 Nov 22., en, 13 November 2022, 14 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230314192753/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffinnegan.bray, live,

Air

Dublin Airport is reachable via the M50, which passes to the west of Dublin City, and is served by Aircoach route 702.WEB,www.aircoach.ie/timetables/702, AirCoach - Route 702: Dublin Airport to Greystones,web.archive.org/web/20240221121522/https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/702, 21 February 2024, dead, Newcastle Aerodrome is the closest private airfield a short distance south of Bray.WEB,www.einc.ie/, Newcastle Aerodrome, 5 February 2017, 14 September 2016,www.einc.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160914033836www.einc.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160914033836www.einc.ie/, live,

Demography

(File:Brayview.JPG|thumb|An aerial view of Bray)Bray has a growing population of permanent residents.{{Historical populations26953279233095131901318723260033512}}

Local government

Bray is represented on Wicklow County Council by two local electoral areas. Bray East is approximately two-thirds of the town, while Bray West is the other third and includes the neighbouring villages of Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue. The electoral divisions of Bray East are Bray No. 1 Urban, Bray No. 2 Urban, Bray No. 3 Urban and Rathmichael (Bray). The electoral divisions of Bray West are Enniskerry, Kilmacanoge and Powerscourt.WEB,www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/638/made/en/print, County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018, 2018-12-19, 2023-06-01, Irish Statute Book, Bray Municipal District consists of both of these local electoral areas.ISB, 2018, si, 638, County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018, 19 December 2018, 31 May 2019, 31 May 2019,www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/638/made/en/print," title="web.archive.org/web/20190531190100www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/638/made/en/print,">web.archive.org/web/20190531190100www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/638/made/en/print, ISB, 2019, si, 7, County Of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019, 22 January 2019, 31 May 2019, 16 April 2019,www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/7/made/en/print," title="web.archive.org/web/20190416152754www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/7/made/en/print,">web.archive.org/web/20190416152754www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/7/made/en/print, The following are the eight councillors representing Bray at Bray Municipal District and Wicklow County Council. The local elections took place in 2019.{| class=“wikitable”!colspan=3|Bray EastWEB,www.wicklow.ie/Portals/0/Documents/ElectorsRegister/2019%20Results/Recount%20-%20Bray%20East%20Final%20Statement.pdf, Declaration of Result, Bray East LEA, Wicklow County Council, Local Election - 24 May 2019, 28 May 2019, 15 June 2019, Wicklow County Council, 27 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200727032213/https://www.wicklow.ie/Portals/0/Documents/ElectorsRegister/2019%20Results/Recount%20-%20Bray%20East%20Final%20Statement.pdf, live, !colspan=3|Bray WestWEB,www.wicklow.ie/Portals/0/Documents/ElectorsRegister/2019%20Results/Bray%20West%20Final%20Statement.pdf, Declaration of Result, Bray West LEA, Wicklow County Council, Local Election - 24 May 2019, 26 May 2019, 15 June 2019, Wicklow County Council, 27 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200727033003/https://www.wicklow.ie/Portals/0/Documents/ElectorsRegister/2019%20Results/Bray%20West%20Final%20Statement.pdf, live, Green Party (Ireland)}}|Erika Doyle*Independent politician (Ireland)}}|Joe BehanSinn Féin}}|Grace McManusFine Gael}}|Melanie CorriganFine Gael}}|Aoife Flynn KennedySinn Féin}}|Dermot O’BrienLabour Party (Ireland)}}|Anne FerrisIndependent politician (Ireland)}}|Rory O’Connor * Steven Matthews was a councillor for Bray East from June 2019 until February 2020. After his election to Dáil Éireann in the 2020 Irish general election, Erika Doyle was co-opted to the seat for the Green Party.HTTPS://WWW.INDEPENDENT.IE/REGIONALS/BRAYPEOPLE/NEWS/NEARY-AND-DOYLE-TAKE-THEIR-SEATS-IN-THE-COUNTY-COUNCIL-CHAMBER-39011343.HTML FIRST=MYLES DATE=7 MARCH 2020 ACCESS-DATE=13 JUNE 2020 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20200613144507/HTTPS://WWW.INDEPENDENT.IE/REGIONALS/BRAYPEOPLE/NEWS/NEARY-AND-DOYLE-TAKE-THEIR-SEATS-IN-THE-COUNTY-COUNCIL-CHAMBER-39011343.HTML, live, The Bray Town Commissioners were established by a local act in 1866. The Earl of Meath was named in the act as the first chairman of the commissioners.WEB, Bray Township Act 1866 (29 & 30 Vict., c. cclxi),www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/29-30/261/contents/enacted, legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives (United Kingdom), The National Archives, 6 November 2022, 6 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221106142104/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/29-30/261/contents/enacted, live, In 1899, this body became an urban district council under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. At the same time, a portion of the town which had been in County Dublin was transferred to County Wicklow and the jurisdiction of the urban district.BOOK, Clancy, John Joseph, J. J. Clancy (North Dublin MP), A handbook of local government in Ireland: containing an explanatory introduction to the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898: together with the text of the act, the orders in Council, and the rules made thereunder relating to county council, rural district council, and guardian’s elections: with an index,archive.org/details/handbookoflocalg00clan/page/432/mode/2up, 432–433, 1899, Sealy, Bryers and Walker, Dublin, The boundary of the town was further extended in 1952 (taking in the area around Killruddery),ISB, Bray Urban District (Alteration of Boundary) Order 1952, si, 1952, 42, Patrick Smith (politician), Patrick Smith, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for Local Government, 19 February 1952, 6 November 2022, in 1958 (taking in the area in Rathmichael which had been transferred the previous year from County Dublin to County Wicklow),ISB, Urban District of Bray (Alteration of Boundary) Order 1958, si, 1958, 48, Neil Blaney, Minister for Local Government, 19 February 1958, 6 November 2022, ISB, Wicklow County (District Electoral Divisions) Order 1957, si, 1957, 216, Patrick Smith, Minister for Local Government, 25 October 1957, 6 November 2022, and in 1978 (extending the town to the west).ISB, Urban District of Bray (Alteration of Boundary) Order 1978, si, 1978, 370, Sylvester Barrett, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for the Environment, 21 December 1978, 6 November 2022, The urban district council became a town council in 2002.ISB, 2001, 37, Local Government Act 2001, 6, Local Government Areas (Towns), 21 July 2001, 3 August 2022, ISB, Local Government Act 2001 (Establishment Day) Order 2001, si, 2001, 591, Noel Dempsey, Minister for the Environment and Local Government, 18 December 2001, 6 November 2022, It was abolished by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, with the powers and functions of the town council given to the county council, but its functions could be administered by the new municipal district council created by the act.ISB, Local Government Reform Act 2014, 2014, 24, Dissolution of town councils and transfer date, 1, 27 January 2014, 21 May 2022, ISB, Local Government Reform Act 2014 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 3) Order 2014, si, 2014, 214, Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, 22 May 2014, 3 November 2022, Part of the northern Bray area lies within the local authority area of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, and forms part of the Shankill–Killiney local electoral area. The border between County Wicklow and County Dublin (Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown) lies along Old Connaught Avenue and runs down along and across the Dublin Road to Ravenswell, making all areas north of that line Bray, County Dublin.WEB,www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/ElectorsRegister/Interactive-Maps-for-Local-Electoral-Areas, Interactive Maps for Local Electoral Areas, www.wicklow.ie, 31 May 2019, 13 July 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190713202222/https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/ElectorsRegister/Interactive-Maps-for-Local-Electoral-Areas, live,

Tourism

{{multiple image| align = left| direction = vertical| image1 = International Hotel Bray c. 1900.jpg| width1 = 200| caption1 = | alt1 = | image2 = ‘Turkish-style’ building, Bray, Co. Wicklow (27855336191) (cropped).jpg| width2 = 200| caption2 = The International Hotel (top) and the Turkish Baths (bottom) from Bray’s heyday as a seaside resort. Both were demolished in the late 20th century.| alt2 = }}Bray is a long-established holiday resort dating back to the early 19th century. The Parliamentary gazetteer of 1846 described it thusly:The town has for many years been a favourite summer resort of the wealthier of the Dublin citizens and of the gentry from a large part of Ireland; and it possesses, in a state of high facility and polish, the various appliances required for their accommodation and comfort, whether as lodgers or as tourists. Handsome cottages ornees, boarding houses on different scales of economy, and furnished houses from the small abode to the luxurious mansion, abound both in the town and in its environs, for the special use of visitors. Bray has numerous hotels and guesthouses, shops, restaurants and evening entertainment. The town also hosts a number of festival events. In the town’s vicinity are an 18-hole golf courses, a tennis club, fishing, a sailing club and horse riding. Other features of Bray are the amusement arcades and the National Sealife Centre. It has a beach of sand and shingle which is over {{cvt|1.6|km|mi|0}} long, fronted by an esplanade and Bray Head, which rises {{cvt|241|m|ft}} from the coast, has views of mountains and sea. The concrete cross at the top of Bray head was erected in 1950 for the holy year.File:Killruddery House, Co.Wicklow.jpg|thumb|Killruddery HouseKillruddery House(File:Esplanade Hotel, Bray.jpg|thumb|Bray’s Esplanade Hotel was built in 1900.WEB, Esplanade Hotel, Strand Road, Bray, Bray, Wicklow,www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/16301015/esplanade-hotel-bray-co-wicklow, 2021-10-24, Buildings of Ireland, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, 24 October 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211024141806/https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/16301015/esplanade-hotel-bray-co-wicklow, live, )Bray is used as a base for walkers, and has a {{cvt|1|mi|km|round=0.5|order=flip|adj=mid|-long}} promenade which stretches from the harbour, with its colony of mute swans, to the base of Bray Head at the southern end. A track leads to the summit. Also used by walkers is the {{cvt|7|km|mi|frac=2|spell=in}} Cliff Walk along Bray Head out to Greystones.In January 2010, Bray was named the “cleanest town in Ireland” in the 2009 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey of 60 towns and cities.NEWS,www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0104/breaking40.htm, Bray named as cleanest town, 4 January 2010, Irish Times, 4 January 2010,

Tourist sites

Tourist sites in the area include the Elizabethan-revival mansion Killruddery House (which is open to the public in the summer months),WEB,www.killruddery.com/opening-hours/, killruddery.com, Killruddery Estate Enterprises Ltd, Killruddery House and Gardens - Opening Hours, 26 September 2019, 26 September 2019,www.killruddery.com/opening-hours/," title="web.archive.org/web/20190926090711www.killruddery.com/opening-hours/,">web.archive.org/web/20190926090711www.killruddery.com/opening-hours/, live, and the hill and headland at Bray Head (which has a number of walking trails).WEB,www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/, Bray Tourism, bray.ie, Bray Head Walk, 26 September 2019, 26 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190926090708/https://www.bray.ie/bray-head-walk/, live, Raheen-a-Cluig, a medieval church which is catalogued as national monument, is located on the north face of Bray Head. Other religious sites and churches in the area include the Fassaroe Cross (12th century),WEB,webgis.archaeology.ie/historicenvironment/?SMRS=WI007-026002, Record of the Fassaroe Cross at the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Ireland, 1 October 2019, 29 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200729125751/https://webgis.archaeology.ie/historicenvironment/?SMRS=WI007-026002, live, the Holy Redeemer Church, Bray (1792), and the Gothic Revival churches of Christ Church (1863) and Bray Methodist Church (1864).

Festivals and events

The Bray St. Patrick’s Carnival and Parade is presented by Bray and District Chamber to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.Bray also hosts a yearly silent film festival, the Killruddery Film Festival in Killruddery Gardens.WEB,killrudderyarts.com/filmfestival/, Killruddery Film Festival, 6 February 2012, 15 April 2012,killrudderyarts.com/filmfestival/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120415151252killrudderyarts.com/filmfestival/,">web.archive.org/web/20120415151252killrudderyarts.com/filmfestival/, live, Bray Jazz Festival takes place annually on the May bank holiday weekend and includes performances by jazz and world music artists.The annual Bray Summerfest takes place over six weeks in July and August and includes free entertainment, live music, markets, sporting events, and carnivals. Performers who have headlined include Mundy, Brian Kennedy, the Undertones, the Hothouse Flowers and Mary Black. An air display, the Bray Air Display, is held annually in late July.Hell & Back is an adventure race that takes place in Kilruddery Estates.WEB,hellandback.ie/, Hell & Back, 5 February 2017, 3 September 2016,www.hellandback.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160903123604www.hellandback.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160903123604www.hellandback.ie/, live, The 10 km Cliff Run from Bray to Greystones is an annual run on the coast around Bray Head Mountain.WEB,gaelforceevents.com/en/bray-10km-cliff-run, Bray Cliff Run, 5 February 2017, 20 August 2016,gaelforceevents.com/en/bray-10km-cliff-run," title="web.archive.org/web/20160820082207gaelforceevents.com/en/bray-10km-cliff-run,">web.archive.org/web/20160820082207gaelforceevents.com/en/bray-10km-cliff-run, live, In 2023, Bray was named by Time Out magazine as one of the fourteen most underrated travel destinations in the world.WEB, 2023-03-02, Time Out names Bray as one of world’s 14 most underrated spots,www.rte.ie/lifestyle/travel/2023/0302/1359828-time-out-names-bray-as-one-of-worlds-14-most-underrated-spots/, en,

Pubs and restaurants

Bray’s pubs and restaurants include the first Porterhouse bar, who brew their own ales, stouts and beers.WEB,www.porterhousebrewco.com/brewery.php, The Porterhouse Brewery, dead,www.porterhousebrewco.com/brewery.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20120204234740www.porterhousebrewco.com/brewery.php,">web.archive.org/web/20120204234740www.porterhousebrewco.com/brewery.php, 4 February 2012, In 2010, the Lonely Planet Guide ranked the Harbour Bar in Bray the Best Bar in the World and the Best off the Beaten Track Bar in the world.NEWS,www.independent.ie/lifestyle/food-drink/the-greatest-little-pub-in-the-world-and-its-my-local-2434741.html, Greatest little pub in the world, 25 November 2010, Irish Independent, 25 November 2010, 28 November 2010,www.independent.ie/lifestyle/food-drink/the-greatest-little-pub-in-the-world-and-its-my-local-2434741.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20101128012957www.independent.ie/lifestyle/food-drink/the-greatest-little-pub-in-the-world-and-its-my-local-2434741.html,">web.archive.org/web/20101128012957www.independent.ie/lifestyle/food-drink/the-greatest-little-pub-in-the-world-and-its-my-local-2434741.html, live, The O’Toole family owned the bar for three generations, but it was bought by the Duggan family in 2013.WEB,theharbourbar.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=1&Itemid=2, Harbour Bar, 13 December 2013, 13 December 2013,theharbourbar.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=1&Itemid=2," title="web.archive.org/web/20131213225421theharbourbar.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=1&Itemid=2,">web.archive.org/web/20131213225421theharbourbar.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=1&Itemid=2, live, There are twelve fully licensed restaurants, several unlicensed restaurants and cafes, and fast food outlets in Bray. In 2015, The Irish Times published a study which analysed the presence of fast food outlets in Ireland. Bray was found to have the lowest per capita concentration of the ten towns and cities included, with just 0.09 stores per 1,000 people.NEWS,www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/swords-named-as-fast-food-capital-of-ireland-1.2255842, Swords named as fast food capital of Ireland, Eoin, Burke-Kennedy, The Irish Times, 27 August 2021, 5 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210505190224/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/swords-named-as-fast-food-capital-of-ireland-1.2255842, live,

Culture

(File:Sealife, Bray, Ireland. (7131957657).jpg|thumb|National Sealife Centre, Bray)

Film

Bray is home to Ireland’s oldest film studios, Ardmore Studios, established in 1958, where films such as Excalibur, Braveheart and Breakfast on Pluto have been shot. Custer’s Last Stand-up was filmed in BrayNEWS,www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/braybased-tv-series-wins-top-bafta-award-725504.html, Bray-based TV series wins top BAFTA award, Bray People, braypeople.ie, 6 December 2001, 8 January 2012, Brendan, Grehan, 29 February 2012,www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/braybased-tv-series-wins-top-bafta-award-725504.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20120229144123www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/braybased-tv-series-wins-top-bafta-award-725504.html,">web.archive.org/web/20120229144123www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/braybased-tv-series-wins-top-bafta-award-725504.html, live, and the town was also used to film Neil Jordan’s 2012 film Byzantium, part of which was shot in the Bray Head Inn.NEWS,www.braypeople.ie/news/neil-jordan-film-will-stop-traffic-2964594.html, Neil Jordan film will stop traffic, Bray People, 6 February 2012, 14 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230314192740/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/, live, Neil Jordan’s 1991 film The Miracle is set in Bray.WEB,ifi.ie/film/the-miracle/, The Miracle: Neil Jordan, Irish Film Institute, 2 October 2017, 30 November 2017,ifi.ie/film/the-miracle/," title="web.archive.org/web/20171130102110ifi.ie/film/the-miracle/,">web.archive.org/web/20171130102110ifi.ie/film/the-miracle/, live,

Theatre and literature

Bray hosts a number of theatre groups including the Bray Arts and Square One Theatre Group.WEB,www.squareonetheatregroup.ie/, Square One Theatre Group, 28 August 2016, 11 September 2016,www.squareonetheatregroup.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160911010559www.squareonetheatregroup.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160911010559www.squareonetheatregroup.ie/, dead, Authors who have lived in Bray have included James Joyce, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Molly Keane and Neil Jordan. Situated on Eglinton Road is a Carnegie Library dating from 1910.WEB,www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Libraries/Library-Branches/Bray, Bray Library | Wicklow.ie, www.wicklow.ie, 27 August 2021, 27 August 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210827103430/https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Libraries/Library-Branches/Bray, live, There is also another library serving the Ballywaltrim district on Boghall Road, at the southern end of the town

Media

The Bray People newspaper is focused on the news in the local areas and neighbourhoods, as does the freesheet Wicklow Times (North Edition).NEWS,www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/, Bray News | Latest Bray News Headlines from the Bray People - Independent.ie, www.independent.ie, 27 August 2021, 27 August 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210827103428/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/, live, East Coast FM Radio Station also operates locally.WEB,www.eastcoast.fm/, East Coast FM, East Coast FM, 27 August 2021, 27 August 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210827191150/https://www.eastcoast.fm/, live,

Music

Musicians associated with Bray include Mary Coughlan,WEB, Famous Residents of Bray,www.bray.ie/famous-residents-bray/, live,www.bray.ie/famous-residents-bray/," title="web.archive.org/web/20181130004020www.bray.ie/famous-residents-bray/,">web.archive.org/web/20181130004020www.bray.ie/famous-residents-bray/, 30 November 2018, 29 November 2018, bray.ie, Bray Tourism, Maria Doyle Kennedy,WEB, Maria Doyle Kennedy Biography,www.hollywood.com/celebrities/maria-doyle-kennedy-57250604/,www.hollywood.com/celebrities/maria-doyle-kennedy-57250604/," title="web.archive.org/web/20151019204504www.hollywood.com/celebrities/maria-doyle-kennedy-57250604/,">web.archive.org/web/20151019204504www.hollywood.com/celebrities/maria-doyle-kennedy-57250604/, 19 October 2015, Hollywood.com, Fionn Regan, and Hozier.NEWS, 13 March 2014, Meet the Bray singer cracking America, Irish Independent,www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/meet-the-bray-singer-cracking-america-30089463.html, live, 19 April 2021,web.archive.org/web/20190327104527/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/meet-the-bray-singer-cracking-america-30089463.html, 27 March 2019, The singer Sinéad O’Connor was also a resident of Bray for a number of years, living in a house overlooking the sea on Strand Road. While O’Connor died in London, her funeral procession took place on Bray seafront in August 2023.NEWS, Sinéad O’Connor funeral procession in pictures,www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/08/08/sinead-oconnor-funeral-procession-in-pictures/, 2023-09-13, The Irish Times, en,

Sports

File:Carlisle Grounds, Bray Wanderers.jpg|thumb|Bray Wanderers vs Bohemians at the Carlisle GroundsCarlisle GroundsBray is home to League of Ireland football club Bray Wanderers who play at the Carlisle Grounds. It also hosts schoolboy football club Ardmore Rovers and Wolfe Tone F.C. The local Gaelic Athletic Association club’s are Fergal Og’s and Bray Emmets.WEB,www.brayemmets.com/, Bray Emmets GAA Club, 7 April 2017, 6 April 2017,www.brayemmets.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20170406125338www.brayemmets.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20170406125338www.brayemmets.com/, live, Bray Emmets Established in 1885, the club hosts the annual All-Ireland Kick Fada Championship.WEB,www.bray.ie/pec-events/ireland-kick-fada/, All Ireland Kick Fada – bray.ie, 24 November 2018, 21 November 2018,www.bray.ie/pec-events/ireland-kick-fada/," title="web.archive.org/web/20181121113826www.bray.ie/pec-events/ireland-kick-fada/,">web.archive.org/web/20181121113826www.bray.ie/pec-events/ireland-kick-fada/, live, There are a number of golf clubs and pitch & putt courses in the area, including Bray Golf Club, Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, and Old Conna Golf Club.WEB,www.braygolfclub.com/, Bray Golf Club, 5 February 2017, 30 August 2016,www.braygolfclub.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160830080441www.braygolfclub.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20160830080441www.braygolfclub.com/, live, WEB,www.oldconna.com/, Old Conna Golf Club, 5 February 2017, 10 September 2016,www.oldconna.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160910230228www.oldconna.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20160910230228www.oldconna.com/, live, Bray is also host to Bray Bowling Club, which trains in Fáilte Park,WEB,www.braybc.ie/, Bray Bowling Club, 5 February 2017, 21 September 2016,www.braybc.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160921171407www.braybc.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160921171407www.braybc.ie/, live, and there is 10 Pin Bowling at the Bray Bowling Alley.WEB,www.braybowl.ie/, Bray Bowling Alley, 5 February 2017, 2 October 2016,braybowl.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20161002141019braybowl.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20161002141019braybowl.ie/, live, There is fishing in both the River Dargle and on the sea coastline, and a number of clubs locally, including Bray Head Fishing Club and Dargle Anglers Club.WEB,www.dargleanglers.com/, Dargle Anglers Club, 28 August 2016,www.dargleanglers.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160913154045www.dargleanglers.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20160913154045www.dargleanglers.com/, 13 September 2016, dead, Other clubs and facilities in the area include Bray Wheelers Cycling Club,WEB,www.braywheelers.com/, Bray Wheelers Cycling Club, 5 February 2017, 29 June 2004,www.braywheelers.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20040629080052www.braywheelers.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20040629080052www.braywheelers.com/, live, Brennanstown Riding School,WEB,www.brennanstownrs.ie/, Brennanstown Riding School, 5 February 2017, 28 August 2016,www.brennanstownrs.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160828232005www.brennanstownrs.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160828232005www.brennanstownrs.ie/, live, Bray Sailing Club,WEB,www.braysailingclub.ie/, Bray Sailing Club, 5 February 2017, 18 September 2016,www.braysailingclub.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160918163719www.braysailingclub.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20160918163719www.braysailingclub.ie/, live, Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1894 and located on Vevay Road,WEB,www.cowicklowltc.com/, County Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club, 5 February 2017, 29 July 2016,www.cowicklowltc.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160729205327www.cowicklowltc.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20160729205327www.cowicklowltc.com/, live, Bray Hockey Club,WEB,www.brayhockeyclub.ie/, Bray Hockey Club, 29 April 2020, 27 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200727041747/https://www.brayhockeyclub.ie/, live, and Wicklow County Cricket Club.WEB,wicklowcountycricket.com/, Wicklow County Cricket Club, 29 April 2020, 6 May 2020,wicklowcountycricket.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20200506190050wicklowcountycricket.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20200506190050wicklowcountycricket.com/, live, A short-lived greyhound racing track existed in the town from 1949 until 1955, run by the Bray Greyhound Racing Association Ltd.BOOK, Barnes, Julia, Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 410, 1988, Ringpress Books, 0-948955-15-5, In December 1947, notice was given that a track would be constructed at Sunnybank but the Wicklow County Manager refused the application. However, the greyhound company continued to build the facilities and in 1949 the track opened. It was not until 1950 that the High Court ruled against the company for building without planning permission and levied a fine of £470. The dispute continued until, in 1955, the track was bought by Bray Urban Council under a compulsory purchase order. The site, consisting of almost five acres, was bought at £440 per acre, and 36 houses were built on the land.NEWS, Decided on at a Special Meeting - 17 July 1948, 1948, Wicklow People - Wicklow, Thousands of people turned out on the seafront to see Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor, return home from London in August 2012.NEWS,www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2012/irish-news/triumphant-bray-homecoming-for-olympic-hero-katie-taylor-3200034.html, Triumphant Bray homecoming for Olympic hero Katie Taylor, 13 August 2012, Irish Independent, 13 August 2012, Independent News & Media, 15 August 2012,www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2012/irish-news/triumphant-bray-homecoming-for-olympic-hero-katie-taylor-3200034.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20120815181128www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2012/irish-news/triumphant-bray-homecoming-for-olympic-hero-katie-taylor-3200034.html,">web.archive.org/web/20120815181128www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/olympics-2012/irish-news/triumphant-bray-homecoming-for-olympic-hero-katie-taylor-3200034.html, live,

Education

File:Car park at Presentation College, Bray, Co Wicklow.jpg|thumb|Presentation College, BrayPresentation College, BrayThere are approximately 13 primary schools in the Bray area, including national schools (like Saint Cronan’s Boys’ National School),WEB,www.stcronans.ie/, St Cronan’s Boys’ National School, 6 February 2012, 10 February 2012,www.stcronans.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120210152921www.stcronans.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20120210152921www.stcronans.ie/, live, gaelscoileanna (like Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh), a co-educational day school (St. Gerard’s School),WEB,www.stgerards.ie/, Saint Gerard’s School Bray, stgerards.ie, 3 August 2012, 20 July 2012,www.stgerards.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120720055716www.stgerards.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20120720055716www.stgerards.ie/, live, and schools for special needs. Secondary schools in the area include Saint Brendan’s College, Loreto Secondary School and St. Kilian’s Community School and Presentation College, Bray. A number of “English as a foreign language” and third-level schools also operate locally, including Bray Institute of Further Education.WEB,www.bife.ie, Bray Institute of Further Education - Welcome to BIFE Campus, 5 February 2017, 2 April 2001,www.bife.ie/," title="web.archive.org/web/20010402021119www.bife.ie/,">web.archive.org/web/20010402021119www.bife.ie/, live,

People

File:IMGDargleSwans 3476.jpg|thumb|Swans where the River DargleRiver DargleFile:IMG CoIBray2872.jpg|thumb|upright|Christ Church, BrayChrist Church, Bray{{see also|Category:People from Bray, County Wicklow}}Former or current residents of the town have included (in alphabetical order):

• Eamon de Buitlear, writer, filmmaker and traditional Irish musicianNEWS, 25 April 2013, Obituaries - Eamon de Buitlear - Film-maker and environmentalist, The Independent,www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/eamon-de-buitlear-film-maker-and-environmentalist-8588869.html, live, 29 November 2018,web.archive.org/web/20200702170423/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/eamon-de-buitlear-film-maker-and-environmentalist-8588869.html, 2 July 2020,
• Conrad Burke, physicist and entrepreneurWEB, Bray-born entrepreneur joins hi-tech venture fund backed by Bill Gates,www.independent.ie/business/technology/bray-born-entrepreneur-joins-hi-techventurefund-backed-bybill-gates-40584974.html, 2022-09-06, independent, en,
• Seamus Costello, founding member of the Irish National Liberation ArmyWEB, Home,seamuscostello.com/, 2023-08-17, Seamus Costello, en-US,
• Suzanne Crowe, President of the Medical Council of IrelandWEB, Appointments to the Medical Council,www.gov.ie/en/news/34709c-appointments-to-the-medical-council/, live,web.archive.org/web/20210827002133/https://www.gov.ie/en/news/34709c-appointments-to-the-medical-council/, 27 August 2021, 27 August 2021, www.gov.ie,
• Mary Coughlan, singer who resides in the town
• S.M. Cyril, India-based Irish nun, educationist, educational innovator and 2007 winner of the Padma Shri AwardNEWS, Pollio Fenton, Francesca, 28 June 2023, Irish nun who changed education for India’s poorest children dies, News, Catholic News Agency,www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/254682/irish-nun-who-changed-education-for-india-s-poorest-children-dies, 13 September 2023,
• Fergal Devitt, professional wrestler in WWE, who wrestles under the name Finn Bálor
• Jordan Devlin, professional wrestler in WWEWEB, Jordan Devlin,www.wwe.com/section/uk-championship-tournament-competitors/article/jordan-devlin, live,web.archive.org/web/20180519033522/https://www.wwe.com/section/uk-championship-tournament-competitors/article/jordan-devlin, 19 May 2018, 29 November 2018, wwe.com, WWE,
• Hozier, singer and songwriter
• Eddie Jordan, former racing driver and Jordan Grand Prix founder
• Ed Joyce, professional cricketerWEB, 24 May 2018, Ed Joyce announces retirement to take up Cricket Ireland coaching role,www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/ed-joyce-announces-retirement-to-take-up-cricket-ireland-coaching-role-1.3507030, live,web.archive.org/web/20181130030253/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/ed-joyce-announces-retirement-to-take-up-cricket-ireland-coaching-role-1.3507030, 30 November 2018, 29 November 2018, irishtimes.com, Irish Times,
• James Joyce, writer
• Maria Doyle Kennedy, singer and actress who resided in the town as a child.
• Denzil Lacey, former RTÉ 2fm and current Spin South West presenterNEWS, 14 July 2010, Denzil makes airwaves on RTE, Bray People, Independent News & Media,www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/denzil-makes-airwaves-on-rte-27636151.html, live, 20 November 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181130030502/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/denzil-makes-airwaves-on-rte-27636151.html, 30 November 2018,
• Sheridan Le Fanu, writer of gothic horror and mystery novels
• Thomas Langlois Lefroy, politician and judge, who lived in his family estate in NewcourtWEB, Webb, Alfred, Thomas Langlois Lefroy,www.libraryireland.com/biography/ThomasLangloisLefroy.php, live,web.archive.org/web/20181130071547/https://www.libraryireland.com/biography/ThomasLangloisLefroy.php, 30 November 2018, 29 November 2018, A Compendium of Irish Biography (1878), Library Ireland,
• Keith Nolan, professional golfer, former GB & Ireland Walker Cup player, and PGA Tour playerWEB, 17 February 2014, Bray’s Keith Nolan guides Jason Allred to top three at Riviera,www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2014/2/17/brays-keith-nolan-guides-jason-allred-to-top-three-at-riviera, live,web.archive.org/web/20181129225210/https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2014/2/17/brays-keith-nolan-guides-jason-allred-to-top-three-at-riviera, 29 November 2018, 29 November 2018, irishgolfdesk.com, Brian Keogh,
• Dara Ó Briain, comedian and television host
• Sinéad O’Connor, singer who resided in the townNEWS, Staines, Michael, 27 July 2023, The kind of person we all should have been – Sinead O’Connor remembered, News, Bray People,www.newstalk.com/news/the-kind-of-person-we-all-should-have-been-sinead-oconnor-remembered-1491345, 28 July 2023,
• Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, fifth President of IrelandWEB,dib.cambridge.org/viewReadPage.do?articleId=a6322, Ó Dálaigh, Cearbhall, Dictionary of Irish Biography, Royal Irish Academy, Ronan, Keane, 29 November 2018, 30 November 2018,dib.cambridge.org/viewReadPage.do?articleId=a6322," title="web.archive.org/web/20181130030258dib.cambridge.org/viewReadPage.do?articleId=a6322,">web.archive.org/web/20181130030258dib.cambridge.org/viewReadPage.do?articleId=a6322, live,
• Fran O’Toole, former lead singer in The Miami Showband, murdered in the Miami Showband massacre of July 1975cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch75.htm31775 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211223342cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch75.htm31775|date=11 February 2021}} (Cain A Chronology of the Conflict - 1975:

Thursday 31 July 1975 Miami Showband Killings / ‘Miami Massacre’WEB, Hedges, John, Singer Fran O’Toole honoured in his native Bray 40 years after...,www.anphoblacht.com/contents/25164, live,web.archive.org/web/20210128084458/https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/25164, 28 January 2021, 22 January 2021, www.anphoblacht.com, NEWS, 22 July 2015, Miami Showband Massacre: ‘You Don’t Have to Die to Lose Your Life’, The Irish Independent,www.independent.ie/irish-news/miami-showband-massacre-you-dont-have-to-die-to-lose-your-life-31396624.html, 30 June 2023,

• Gary O’Toole, former Irish Olympic swimmer from BrayNEWS, Fogarty, Mary, 24 August 2019, Anniversary of hero Gary’s silver medal, Wicklow, Irish Independent,www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/anniversary-of-hero-garys-silver-medal/38420805.html, 13 September 2023,
• Darren Randolph, goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland national football teamWEB, 26 December 2015, Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph on why rugby, GAA and basketball’s loss was soccer’s gain,www.the42.ie/darren-randolph-soccer-rugby-gaa-basketball-2504529-Dec2015/, live,web.archive.org/web/20181130030335/https://www.the42.ie/darren-randolph-soccer-rugby-gaa-basketball-2504529-Dec2015/, 30 November 2018, 29 November 2018, the42.ie, The 42,
• Fionn Regan, musicianNEWS,www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/fionn-regan-the-bray-wanderer-returns-26761926.html, Independent News & Media, independent.ie, Fionn Regan: The Bray Wanderer returns, 12 August 2011, 29 November 2018, 31 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180831035615/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/fionn-regan-the-bray-wanderer-returns-26761926.html, live,
• Lennox Robinson, dramatist and poet
• Katie Taylor, world, European, and Olympic boxing gold medalistNEWS,www.joe.ie/news/the-best-images-from-katie-taylors-homecoming-to-bray-38788, Joe, joe.ie, The best images from Katie Taylor’s homecoming to Bray, 13 August 2012, 29 November 2018, 29 November 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181129225615/https://www.joe.ie/news/the-best-images-from-katie-taylors-homecoming-to-bray-38788, live,
• Laura Whitmore, TV personality and presenter
• William Wilde and Jane Wilde, the parents of Oscar Wilde, built properties on Esplanade Terrace in 1863, one of which is now the Strand HotelNEWS,www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/oscar-wilde-s-former-bray-home-on-sale-for-2-2m-1.3009784, Irish Times, irishtimes.com, Oscar Wilde’s former Bray home on sale for €2.2m, 15 March 2015, 29 November 2018, 29 November 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181129225230/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/oscar-wilde-s-former-bray-home-on-sale-for-2-2m-1.3009784, live,

Twin towns

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Ireland}}Bray has town twinning agreements with:WEB, Twinned with Dublin,www.bray.ie/twinned-dublin-calfornia/, bray.ie, 2017, 19 May 2017, 25 December 2018,www.bray.ie/twinned-dublin-calfornia/," title="web.archive.org/web/20181225082055www.bray.ie/twinned-dublin-calfornia/,">web.archive.org/web/20181225082055www.bray.ie/twinned-dublin-calfornia/, live, WEB, Town Twinning, Wicklow County Council, wicklow.ie,www.wicklow.ie/Living/Your-Council/Town-Twinning, 8 November 2020, 21 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201021093326/https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Your-Council/Town-Twinning, live,

• Bègles, France
• Dublin, California, United States
• Würzburg, Germany

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Bray, County Wicklow}}{{EB1911 poster|Bray (Ireland)}}{{wikivoyage|Bray (Ireland)|Bray}}

• Bray on-line
• www.braytowncouncil.ie/" title="web.archive.org/web/20051030203951www.braytowncouncil.ie/">Bray Town Council (Wayback Machine archive)
• Bray on Wicklow Tourism
• Bray in Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837

{{County Wicklow}}{{Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population|state=collapsed}}{{Authority control}}