Bray Wicklow

Known as the gateway to the garden of Ireland, Bray is situated only 12 miles south of Dublin off the N11 motorway. It is a coastal town well serviced by rail and bus (dart link, regular bus services also) with a safe beach of sand and shingle.

There is a nice – but eroding! Cliff walk from Bray to Greystones over Bray head offering tremendous sea views along the way and is in fact, an area of tremendous scientific interest and national importance due to it’s birds, animals, plants and rock formations.

There is also a small 12th or 13th century church on the northern slopes of Bray head known as Raheen-an-chluig. The remains of a door and round-headed windows are still to be seen.

Bray was traditionally a seaside holiday resort for Dubliners (before low-cost airlines and package holidays!!) and still boasts a huge variety of entertainment for the visitor.

Indeed my human friend tells me of a time when she was about the same size as me (pretty small!) full of excitement as her mother bundled her and her siblings onto a huge orange train that puffed its way out to bray packed to the gills with ham-sandwich bearing families! (I’d probably have eaten all of mine even before we got on the train..)

The selection of entertainment includes comedy at the www.braycomedyclub.com , arts, films, dance, workshops, storytelling for children and much more in the www.mermaidartscentre.ie , music in most of the seafront and main street bars and the annual jazz festival which takes place in May annually and includes a great family day out being entertained along the beach promenade.For details check out www.brayjazz.com.

A couple of months later in July is the family fun Bray Summer Fest which in 2008 celebrated its’ 25th year of providing mainly free entertainment suitable for all the family in the form of music, comedies arts, sports and a fabulous carnival. Check out their website at www.braysummerfest.com for details on this years programme.

Bray also boasts a number of shopping outlets my favourites being the haberdashery shop up the lane by the church and the accessories shop (I think its Claires accessories) on the main street as I can make great original Halloween costumes using materials and bits and pieces bought here for myself and my human.!!

Bray is home to Bray Computer Centre which offer an unparalleled level of computer tuning and repair services to keep your home or office computer/ laptop in tip top working condition. visit them at www.braycomputercentre.ie for details.

Situated just outside Bray is a small granite cross off the M11. This national monument is likely to date from the 12th Century and has an unpierced ring with a crucifixion scene on one side and two human heads on the other -gulp!.

Golf enthusiasts can try the Old Conna Golf Club on Ferndale Road which suits golfers of all standards or the Woodbrook golf club located by the sea.

Bray harriers (hunting) early nov-mid march.

Brennanstown riding school is an aire and british horse society approved riding and training establishment with excellent indoor and outdoor riding facilities, qualified instructors and catering for all standards of rider. Tel: 00353 1 2863778  Web: www.brennanstownrs.ie

Bray sea angling clubs: tel: 00353 1 4535673

Bray is also home to Irelands only dedicated film studios Ardmore Studios.

The Bray heritage center holds a permanent exhibition on the history of Bray and more. Contact 00353 1 2864000 for details.

Not forgetting the childrens favourite: the National Sea Life Centre - features stunning displays and brilliant technology exploring the colourful world of underwater wildlife.

For those rainy days there is also: the International Leisure Bowl situated at Quinsboro Road which contains bowling lanes, childrens activity play centre, megazone lazer gun game, video games arcade, snooker and pool.Tel: 00353 1 2864455 for details.

Dawsons family fun- bumpers, ghost train, playcenter, video games. Tel: 00353 1 2860974

Bray has plentiful accommodation available with hotels (www.regencyhotels.com ; www.woodlandscourthotel.com and www.ramadawoodlandcourt.com ) and guesthouses such as Crofton Bray Head Inn  to name but a few.