A travel guide to Bray, Ireland

Known as 'Bre' in Irish, Bray is a town situated in County Wicklow in Ireland. Just 12 miles from Ireland's capital, Dublin, the town has developed as a commuter community as well as being attractive to tourists. The town occupies space on both sides of the county border with Dublin, with some of its northern suburbs actually being in County Dublin. This article will provide a handy overview for visitors.

Overview

Bray is where the River Dargle meets the Irish sea, providing the town with a picturesque coastal backdrop as well as great accessibility to Dublin. Bray is Ireland's oldest seaside resort, and there is a delightful one-mile promenade along the sea front. In many ways, a traditional seaside resort, there are the usual attractions of arcades, restaurants, bars and seaside night life to keep visitors entertained. The Bray Summerfest takes place over six weeks in July and August. A feast of free entertainment, the festival features love music, carnivals and attracts an approximate 60,000 visitors.

Activities

Obviously, the beach and the sea provide much of the focus for things to do in Bray. On the beach, visitors can find the 8000-year-old fossilised remains of trees, which once grew there. There are a number of other coastal activities, including the town's aquarium, home to 80 different species of local sea life. There is a host of golf courses near to the town, and the opportunity exists for visitors to participate in other outdoor activities, such as horse riding and hiding, as well as fishing and sailing. The nearby Wicklow Mountains are part of an Irish National Park, with the stunning Glendalough, being well worth a visit, for historical reasons. It is also scenic, as it is the site of several archaeological sites, with a large part of them relating to Ireland's early Christian past and St Kevin.

Acommodation and transport

For Bray accommodation, the best place to look is the town's official tourist website, Braytourism.ie, where potential visitors can find Bray hotels, guest houses and other places to stay, as well as hotels in Wicklow and slightly further afield. Hotels range from the palatial looking Esplanade Hotel on the town's seafront to the more family-feel charms of the Martello Hotel, also situated on the seafront. However, there are other hotels for differing budgets in the town, as well as several bed and breakfasts. Connolly Station connects Bray to the Irish rail network, whilst the town is also on Dublin's DART metropolitan rail network. There are several buses to connect the town with the capital city and the wider area, as well as taxi firms. Night buses to Dublin city centre can be caught.