History + Culture Tour

Bray's

History

Today it’s known as a seaside resort and commuter town, but Bray’s history stretches back thousands of years. The area has evidence of human activity dating back to prehistoric times and even has links to the Romans. The name “Bray” is believed to come from the Irish Brí Chualann, meaning “hill of Cualu”, referring to the nearby headland known as Bray Head.
Today Bray is the largest town in County Wicklow with a population of almost 35,000.

Bray's

Historical

Figures

From figures such as the apostle St James, conqueror Oliver Cromwell and emperor Napolean Bonaparte, to writers Osacr Wilde, James Joyce and Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and former Irish President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, you will be surprised by Bray's curious connections to historical people and events from times gone by.

Oscar Wilde

IRISH AUTHOR + POET

Oliver Cromwell

ENGLISH STATESMAN + FORMER UK PARLIMENT MEMBER

Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh

IRISH BARRISTER, JUDGE + FORMER PRESIDENT

James Joyce

IRISH NOVELIST + POET