Bray, County Wicklow
Bray
Bré (Irish) | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Bray Town Hall Boats in Bray Harbour Businesses on Goldsmith Terrace Period terraced homes on Quinsborough Road | |
|
Coat of arms | |
Bray Location in Ireland Bray Bray (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 53°12′05″N 06°06′39″W / 53.20139°N 6.11083°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Wicklow, County Dublin |
| Government | |
| • Dáil constituency | Wicklow, Dún Laoghaire |
| • EP constituency | South |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.9 km2 (3.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 33,512 |
| • Rank | 10th |
| • Density | 3,398/km2 (8,800/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Eircode (Routing Key) | A98 |
| Area code | 01 (+3531) |
| Irish Grid Reference | O264185 |
| Website | www |
Bray (Irish: Bré [bʲɾʲeː]) is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about 20 km (12 mi) south of Dublin city centre on the east coast, and parts of the town's northern outskirts are in County Dublin. 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. The town is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.
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.