Welcome to Bray

Bray is a happy and bustling town in County Wicklow, Ireland, right by the sea! But did you know it's also a place full of history? The town began to grow in the 1800s when people started to build summer homes, making it a fun vacation spot.

One of the most exciting things to happen in Bray was the building of the Bray Head Cliff Walk in the late 1800s. This is a beautiful walkway that goes right along the edge of the cliffs by the sea. Imagine how brave the builders must have been, working so high up!

Bray also has a very special train station that was built in 1854, making it one of the oldest in Ireland. Trains would come from Dublin filled with people ready to enjoy their summer holidays. It was like a big party every time a train arrived!

So you see, Bray may seem like an ordinary town, but it has a story full of fun holidays, brave builders, and busy train stations. Isn't it amazing what you can discover about a place when you learn about its history?

  1. What started to make Bray grow in the 1800s?
  2. What is the Bray Head Cliff Walk?
  3. When was the train station in Bray built?
  4. Why do you think the builders of the Bray Head Cliff Walk were brave?
  5. How does knowing about its history change your perspective about Bray?

All About Bray

Welcome to Bray, a vibrant town in County Wicklow, Ireland! Bray is nestled between the Irish Sea and the Wicklow Mountains, making it a super special place. Imagine being able to play on the beach and then go for a hike in the mountains on the same day!

Bray's Main Street is a bustling place, full of shops and cafes. At one end, you'll find the Bray Head, a big hill you can climb up to see all of Bray from above. At the other end, you can find the Bray Seafront, a lovely place to enjoy ice cream and watch the swans in the sea.

Bray is also home to some beautiful rivers. The River Dargle flows through the town, where you might spot ducks swimming and playing.

In terms of flora and fauna, Bray is full of wonders! You can find colourful wildflowers, like bluebells and buttercups, in the woods and fields, while the seafront is home to seagulls and other seabirds.

Finally, you may notice Bray's pretty street lights and benches. These are important for people to rest and enjoy the beauty of Bray. Isn't Bray an amazing place?.

  1. What physical features make Bray a unique place?
  2. Describe the animals and plants you might find in Bray.
  3. Can you identify the route of River Dargle on a map of Bray?
  4. What landmarks can you spot from the top of Bray Head?
  5. Explore Bray yourself, either in person or using online resources. Can you discover a geographical feature or landmark not mentioned in the text?

My Family and Bray

Hi, I'm Kelly and I'm 8 years old! I live in a place called Bray Co. Wicklow. It's really cool here because we have so many fun places to visit.

One of my favourite places is Bray Head. It's a big hill and when you climb to the top, you can see the whole town and the sea. It's super pretty! I like to go there with my friends and we always have a picnic at the top.

We also have a seafront with a long promenade. I love to ride my bike there and get an ice cream. Sometimes, we also have festivals and carnivals there. It's so much fun!

Another place I love is the Killruddery House. It has a big garden and a farm where you can see animals like sheep and chickens. I like to draw pictures of them.

Living in Bray is really fun. There's always something to do and I love being here with my friends and family.

  1. What is Kelly's favourite place in Bray?
  2. Why does Kelly like Bray Head?
  3. What activities does Kelly enjoy at the seafront?
  4. What can you find at Killruddery House according to Kelly?
  5. Who does Kelly enjoy spending time with in Bray?

The Logainm of Bray

Bray, in County Wicklow, is a beautiful town by the sea in Ireland. It's a very old town, so it has a special Irish name, or 'logainm', called Bré. Bré means 'hill' in English. This name was given a long time ago because the town is nestled snugly by the Bray Head, which is a large hill.

Long ago, people used to speak a lot of Irish in Ireland. They would look at the big hill near Bray, and called the town Bré, which was their word for 'hill'. Over time, as more English was spoken, the name changed a little bit, and it turned into 'Bray', the name we all know today.

Even though most people call it Bray now, some people still call it Bré, to remember the old Irish history. It's a reminder of the times when Irish was spoken more widely in Ireland. It's really cool to think that the name of this town carries with it a piece of history from many, many years ago. It's like a secret message from the past!

  1. What is the Irish name, or 'logainm', for Bray?
  2. What does the logainm of Bray mean in English?
  3. Why do you think the town of Bray was given this name?
  4. How has the name of Bray changed over time?
  5. Why do some people still call Bray by its old Irish name?

Slideshow - Bray
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Bray