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Bray Harbour is situated on the east coast of Ireland about ten miles south of Dublin Bay and a mile and a half north of Bray Head. It is a busy urban centre fronted by a drying small boat harbour where vessels may come temporarily come alongside at high water, take to the hard against the wall, or remain afloat by anchoring or picking up a mooring outside.

Bray Harbour is situated on the east coast of Ireland about ten miles south of Dublin Bay and a mile and a half north of Bray Head. It is a busy urban centre fronted by a drying small boat harbour where vessels may come temporarily come alongside at high water, take to the hard against the wall, or remain afloat by anchoring or picking up a mooring outside.

Bray affords a tolerable anchorage but good shelter may be found here from conditions with any westerly component. Vessels drying out alongside the wall will find good protection. Access is straightforward as there are no immediate off-lying dangers and you are free to come in at angles.



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Keyfacts for Bray Harbour
Facilities
Top up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaLaundry facilities availableShore based toilet facilitiesShowers available in the vicinity or by arrangementHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPleasant family beach in the areaCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaScrubbing posts or a place where a vessel can dry out for a scrub below the waterlineSail making or sail repair servicesBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaRegional or international airport within 25 kilometresTourist Information office availableShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationJetty or a structure to assist landingQuick and easy access from open waterSailing Club baseUrban nature,  anything from a small town of more 5,000 inhabitants  to a large cityScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Restriction: shallow, drying or partially drying pier

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Approaches
4 stars: Straightforward; when unaffected by weather from difficult quadrants or tidal consideration, no overly complex dangers.
Shelter
3 stars: Tolerable; in suitable conditions a vessel may be left unwatched and an overnight stay.



Last modified
March 15th 2023

Summary* Restrictions apply

A tolerable location with straightforward access.

Facilities
Top up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaLaundry facilities availableShore based toilet facilitiesShowers available in the vicinity or by arrangementHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPleasant family beach in the areaCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaScrubbing posts or a place where a vessel can dry out for a scrub below the waterlineSail making or sail repair servicesBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaRegional or international airport within 25 kilometresTourist Information office availableShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationJetty or a structure to assist landingQuick and easy access from open waterSailing Club baseUrban nature,  anything from a small town of more 5,000 inhabitants  to a large cityScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Restriction: shallow, drying or partially drying pier



Club  +353 1 2860272      info@braysailingclub.ie     braysailingclub.ie/      Ch.11 [Bray Sailing Club]
Position and approaches
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Haven position

53° 12.564' N, 006° 5.929' W

The head of the easter pier at the harbour entrance.

What is the initial fix?

The following Bray initial fix will set up a final approach:
53° 12.700' N, 006° 5.900' W
This waypoint is 200 metres northeast of the north pier on the five metre contour.


What are the key points of the approach?

Offshore details are available in eastern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Dublin Bay to Rosslare Harbour Route location.

  • Bray Head makes for a ready sea mark from all directions and keeping 500 metres from the shoreline, or keeping outside the 10-metre contour, clears all dangers within the banks.

  • Bray Harbour has no immediate outlying dangers and may be freely approached.


Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Bray Harbour for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Sorrento Point - 3.6 nautical miles N
  2. Greystones - 3.7 nautical miles SSE
  3. Dalkey Island - 3.8 nautical miles N
  4. Dún Laoghaire Harbour - 5.6 nautical miles NNW
  5. Dublin Port - 9.1 nautical miles NNW
  6. Balscadden Bay - 10.8 nautical miles N
  7. Howth - 11.1 nautical miles N
  8. Carrigeen Bay - 11.8 nautical miles N
  9. Wicklow Harbour - 13.8 nautical miles S
  10. Malahide - 14.8 nautical miles N
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Sorrento Point - 3.6 miles N
  2. Greystones - 3.7 miles SSE
  3. Dalkey Island - 3.8 miles N
  4. Dún Laoghaire Harbour - 5.6 miles NNW
  5. Dublin Port - 9.1 miles NNW
  6. Balscadden Bay - 10.8 miles N
  7. Howth - 11.1 miles N
  8. Carrigeen Bay - 11.8 miles N
  9. Wicklow Harbour - 13.8 miles S
  10. Malahide - 14.8 miles N
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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Chart
Please use our integrated Navionics chart to appraise the haven and its approaches. Navionics charts feature in premier plotters from B&G, Raymarine, Magellan and are also available on tablets. Open the chart in a larger viewing area by clicking the expand to 'new tab' or the 'full screen' option.

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What's the story here?
Bray Harbour
Image: Michael Harpur


Bray is a busy coastal town and popular tourist resort situated about 20 km south of Dublin's city centre. It is a sizable town that ranks within Ireland's top ten urban areas and it's close proximity to the capital has made it a traditional day-tripper and holiday destination. The River Dargle discharges into the sea here and a small tidal boat harbour is located upon its outlet with the river flowing along its north wall.

Leisure craft with fixed keels and motorboats are best advised to anchor out about 60 metres off the pierhead of the small harbour where good shelter from the southwest round to northwest can be found. The welcoming Bray Sailing Club External link lay a seasonal visitor mooring just outside the harbour, to the north of the end of the north pier. Their club moorings are on the south side of the harbour and they are also more than happy to accommodate visiting boats on a vacant mooring where possible.


Bray Harbour
Image: Michael Harpur


So anyone considering staying for a while would do well to contact the club in advance, VHF Ch. 11 [Bray Sailing Club](during club operating hours), Landline+353 (0)1 286 0272 or via mail (especially outside summer hours when the office is not staffed) E-mailinfo@braysailingclub.ie.

The harbour dries to its pierheads with the shallow outgoing river stream, that flows throughout the tidal cycle, leaves 0.1 metres at low water at its outermost end. Vessels that can take to the bottom can come in and dry on the tide and depths of 3 metres at MHWS can be had alongside the North Pier.


The three public pontoons on the north pier
Image: Michael Harpur


Those who are prepared to work the tides can come in temporarily to one of the three public pontoons on the north wall. These should be usable for most craft for a couple of hours each side of HW. A reasonable expectation is that a sailing vessel carrying a draft of 1.6 metres should be able to remain afloat high water ± 2 to 3 hours. So timed correctly, a vessel of this draft could get four to five hours alongside.


How to get in?
Bray Harbour situated one and a half miles northwestward of Bray Head
Image: Michael Harpur


Convergance Point Use southeast Ireland's coastal overview Dublin Bay to Rosslare Harbour Route location for seaward approaches. Bray Harbour lies a 1½ northwestward of the prominent Bray Head.


Bray head as seen from Bray Harbour area
Image: Michael Harpur


Bray Head is a conspicuous headland of 236 metres elevation, that rises from the sea in bold precipitous cliffs, along the face of which runs the railroad. Coastal hugging vessels should prepare to stand half a mile off on the final approaches to Bray Head. One hundred metres off the headland's southeasternmost point is 'Cable Rock' which dries to 2 metres. A drying reef called Periwinkle Rock fringes the foot of the headland’s northeastern side and the outlying 'Crab Rocks' extends 150 metres northeastward from this.

Cable Rock - unmarked position: 53° 10.523’N, 006° 04.185’W

Crab Rocks - unmarked position: 53° 11’.800’N, 006° 05.100’W


The harbours northeast-facing entrance and the anchoring area outside
Image: Michael Harpur


The coast between Bray Head and Killiney Bay, composed of shingle beach, is clear of dangers but should not be approached inside the 5-metre contour. The town's fine terraces and hotels, standing near the shore, are also conspicuous objects from seaward.
Please note

Unlit Lobster-pot markers, using a wide variety of objects as floats, can be found spread throughout the area from Bray Head to Dalkey Island. Bray Sailing Club also has five unlit racing marks in the area during the sailing season, April to September, so it is important to maintain a vigilant watch.




The entrance to Bray Harbour at half tide
Image: Peter Scallan - image taken from the deck of Brian Ború


Initial fix location From the initial fix, immediately outside and to the northeast of the entrance, the harbour’s two unlit piers and its northeast-facing entrance will be readily apparent.

Bray Harbour's northeast facing entrance
Image: Michael Harpur


Those venturing into the harbour, on a suitable rise, should steer in on a southwesterly course keeping close to the north pier. Keep clear of the south pier as it has a submerged head where a lighthouse once stood that is scarcely awash at low water. Expect to encounter the outflow from the River Dargle at all times in the entrance where about 1.5 metres LAT can be expected after which it is awash at LAT shortly within the harbour mouth. Inside there is a host of local small boats, all moored fore and aft, that take to the hard at low water.


Bray Harbour at low water
Image: William Murphy (Infomatique)


Haven location Good holding over sand will be found outside the pierhead. Be vigilant as the currents run particularly strong here due to the tight proximity to sandbanks. The other alternative is to pick up a mooring following the advice of the particularly welcoming Bray Sailing Club. Land by tender in the harbour area at the floating pontoon attached to the inside on the north wall.


Local boat on moorings inside the entrance to the harbour
Image: Michael Harpur


Vessels that can dry should berth alongside one of three landing ladders on the north pier. The south pier could also be considered and it would best to plan on it drying to 0.3 metres LAT.


Bray Harbour area
Image: Michael Harpur


Those intending on drying against the wall should be aware that the harbour wall is very rough. Oversized fenders, or preferably a fender board, are advisable as the wooden piles here have wide gaps.
Please note

Bray Municipal District has approved a plan to provide funding for the rejuvenation of the local Harbour on foot of a proposal made by The Bray Harbour Joint Development Committee. The proposal involves providing protection of the harbour from East/Northeast by restoring the south harbour wall to approximately where it was before the collapse of the pier end and Lighthouse in 1957 as well as deepening the river to provide a deep water channel navigable at all stages of the tide.




Why visit here?
Bray, in Irish 'Bré', is thought to derive its name from the translation of an old Irish word 'Brí' meaning 'hill' or 'headland' that has been Anglicised to the present Bray. This most likely refers to the precipitous promontory of Bray Head that overlooks the town or possibly referring to the gradual incline of the town from the Dargle Bridge to Vevay Hill. Some believe that the town took its name from the original name of the Dargle River 'Bré', evident in Lough Bray, or 'Loch Bré', from which a tributary of the Dargle River flows.


Bray as seen from Bray Head
Image: Miguel Mendez via CC BY 2.0


Whichever the case, Bray’s history goes back into the mists of time when early inhabitants would have taken advantage of the natural harbour provided by the river mouth and its surrounding fertile lands. After the Norman Conquest, Strongbow granted these lands to Sir Walter de Riddlesford who brought Hiberno-Norman rule to this area.


Victorian image of the terraces developed at Bray
Image: National Library of Ireland on The Commons


By the 13th-century the Norman lords had begun to assimilate Gaelic traditions and were acting as independent rulers in their own areas. With it, the Crown's national grip of the occupation began to falter and wane and by the late 15th-century English Crown control had reduced to an area surrounding Dublin known as 'The Pale'. The origin of the 'The Pale's' name, 'An Pháil' or 'The English Pale', 'An Pháil Sasanach' was derived directly from the Latin word 'palus', meaning stake and the enclave took on this name because parts of its perimeter counties Meath and Kildare were fenced or ditched. The area inside 'The Pale' was governed directly by the Crown from Dublin Castle but everything outside of this, it was the Gaelic Chieftains who were calling the shots.


Bray's original harbour after 1897 when its light tower was established
Image: National Library of Ireland on The Commons


Bray during this period formed the southern border of 'The Pale', but it was very little developed. In 1598, the town appeared on a map brazenly titled 'A Modern Depiction Of Ireland', as a subset of the British Isles, named 'Brey', with the O’Byrne clan name almost overwhelmingly surrounding it.


Bathing at Bray head (circa 1907-1914)
Image: National Library of Ireland on The Commons


As late as the 17th and 18th-centuries, it was a small fishing village with fisherman's huts plus their nets and boats laid out along the shoreline. During the latter part of the 18th-century, the Dublin middle classes recognised its close proximity enabling them to commute, and they began to move to Bray to escape city life. Lewis' 1838 'A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland' noted that the parish was located on the mail coach road from Dublin to Wexford and on the lower road from Bray to Wicklow. But, as late as 1838, he also noted that Bray was still a one-street town when it was just about to be transformed by the arrival of the railway.

William Dargan
Image: Public Domain
Opened in 1834 and the first railways in Ireland, it was the Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR with Kingstown now being Dún Laoghaire) that sparked the real growth in the town. The legendary engineer William Dargan was behind the rail line and it got off to a bumpy start. Famed for the construction of Belfast Port and many miles of the Ulster Canal he commenced the first six miles. However, it got off to a tepid start as Ward & Lock's Tourist Guide noted... "in its early days it shared the fate of most discoveries, inventions, and projects. Its six miles of railway were opened for the conveyance of the public in December, 1834; but a railway being then a novelty, it did not meet with an immediate or apparent success. It has lately been leased to the Wicklow Railway Company".


But, after this initial period, it caught on and was extended as far as Bray in 1854 where the potential of being but a half hour's day-tripper rail run from the capital was obvious. Dargan then set about developing Bray as a seaside resort along the lines of Brighton. The fisherman’s huts were quickly replaced by hotels and extensive residential terraces that popping up along that illustrious and seductive promenade. These were, almost instantaneously, ready to receive prosperous Victorian visitors who became the new denizens of Bray and they came in droves.

Viewers observing Bray's August regatta (circa. 1907 -1914)
Image: National Library of Ireland on The Commons


Within five years William Dargan had built extravagant Moorish Turkish baths in the town and the first esplanade of the promenade was constructed, stretching from the harbour to Bray Head. Bray quickly grew to become the largest seaside resort in Ireland and the only example in the 'Republic' of a town comparable to what is so much a part of the English experience, the seaside resort town. By the 1870s, William Dargan could have been said to have fairly delivered his brief when Bray had come to be known as the 'Brighton of Ireland'. But it was not all plain sailing for Dargan or Bray and booms and busts came in succession. Sadly in 1866 William Dargan was badly injured falling from his horse. Unable to maintain control of his many enterprises thereafter most failed including his Turkish baths in Bray that had collapsed in 1980 at the personal cost of £10,000. He died in 1867, bankrupt and broken and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.


The barque 'Thomas Ferguson' aground at Bray
Image: National Library of Ireland on The Commons


Development nevertheless continued right up to World War II which only served as a 'pause' for its duration. Afterwards, Bray attracted tourists from Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland who came here to escape the austerity of post-war rationing. It was only from the 1960s onwards, when foreign travel became available for large numbers of people, that the town's resort career began to decline. But with its genteel Victorian charms, its wide beach and handsome promenade inviting an afternoon stroll, it continues to retain a great measure of its original Victorian heyday attraction.


Pretty Victorian terrace adjacent to the harbour area today
Image: Michael Harpur


Today Bray is a busy urban centre serving south county Dublin and Wicklow. The town retains some of the reminders of the distant medieval past and much of its outstanding Georgian and Victorian architecture. Some notable buildings include the Old Courthouse, Victorian seafront and Bray harbour which dates back to 1891, St Paul's Church and Bray Town Hall - albeit now a McDonald's restaurant.


Local boats in Bray Harbour today
Image: Michael Harpur


Owing to its position on northeast Wicklow, one of Ireland’s most scenic counties, it is now known as the 'Gateway to the Garden of Ireland'. It is an ideal base for walkers, ramblers and strollers of all ages. There is the Slí na Sláinte, 'The Healthy Walk' which is 15 km of signposted coastal and urban walks in and around the town. The stroll from the harbour to Bray Head, at the southern end of the promenade, is a must. Likewise, from there, the well-worn ascent up to the 241 metres high summit of Bray Head is compelling. Marked by a large concrete cross, placed there in 1950, it offers spectacular views of mountains and coastline. For the investment of two-to-three hours in total, it is also possible to follow the old 7 km 'Cliff Walk' or 'Cliff Trail', which is a path that follows the railway line around Bray Head to Bray. The relatively flat 8km (5-mile) walk provides spectacular views as it snakes its way along some gorgeous cliffs.


Bray Harbour at high water today
Image: Michael Harpur


The annual 'Bray Summerfest' is a popular tourist event, which takes place over six weeks in July and August each year. It features over 100 free entertainment events, including live music, markets, sporting entertainment, carnivals, and family fun. Bray also hosts an annual international jazz festival on the May bank holiday weekend, each year. William Dargan is remembered today by his quote "a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar" and the just as sharply observed truism if lesser-known "never show your teeth unless you can bite".


Sunrise over Bray Head
Image: Penuel Maypa via CC0 1.0


From a boating perspective, Bray is a 'stop-in' location for all vessels except those that can take to the hard. However its excellent connections, to drop off or collect crews, and great walks make it a well worthwhile stopover for the coastal cruiser.


What facilities are available?
With a population of almost 32,000 Bray is a major urban centre where supplies of all sorts may be obtained. It has an additional focus on tourism and recreation, so pubs, restaurants, evening entertainment, cinemas and nightclubs are plentiful. Some boat services may also be found here including sail repairs.

Sailing clubhouse (left) overlooking the harbour area
Image: Michael Harpur


The Bray Sailing Club welcomes visiting skippers and crews to its clubhouse to avail of the club's changing rooms and showers. The clubhouse overlooks the harbour and has been established for more than a century, and if using their facilities do give your custom to the bar.

Situated just 20 km south of Dublin, it has excellent transport connections. The regular DART Rail Network stretches north to Malahide and Howth and south to Greystones. The town is also on the mainline Iarnród Éireann Rail Network that connects north to Connolly Station in Dublin city centre, and further to Drogheda and Dundalk. To the south, the rail line goes through Arklow, Gorey and Rosslare Europort.

Four bus companies pass through Bray, and Dublin Bus is by far the biggest operator with frequent services to and from Dublin City centre and many services within the greater Bray area. Dublin Bus also provides services to Dún Laoghaire, Enniskerry, Greystones, Kilmacanogue, Kilcoole and Newtownmountkennedy.


Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred in Bray. However, as with any urban area, secure and lock up if leaving the vessel unattended.


With thanks to:
Frank Murphy, local sailor and member of Wicklow Sailing Club.







Aerial views of Bray



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