BRAY

In 1868, the parish of Bray contained the following places:

"BRAY, a parish and market town in the barony of Rathdown, in the county of Wicklow, province of Leinster, Ireland, 12 miles to the S. of Dublin, with which it is connected by the Dublin and Bray railway. It is situated in a beautiful spot on the coast of St. George's Channel, on the banks of the Bray river. That part of the town which lies on the north side of the river is called Little Bray, and is in the parish of Old Connaught, in the county of Dublin. The lordship of Bray was in early times included in the territories of the O'Tooles, and was given, in 1173, to a Norman knight named Walter de Riddlesford. In 1215 it passed into the possession of the abbey of St. Thomas, which held it till the Dissolution. It was then conferred upon Sir Thomas Brabazon, ancestor of the present proprietor, the Earl of Meath. The river is crossed by an ancient bridge of five arches, connecting the two parts of the town. The aspect of the town is pleasant and cheerful, and the surrounding scenery remarkably beautiful. To the southward is Bray Head, a bold and lofty promontory, rising to the height of about 800 feet above the level of the sea, and forming a conspicuous seamark. The river, which forms a small haven, with a bar at the entrance, falls into the sea 2 miles to the N. of this headland, after a course of about 10 miles from Glencree. Trout abound in it, and are taken in large quantities. Some small vessels are employed in the fishery and the coasting trade. The town contains a good hotel, a large brewery, and a flour-mill. Police and coastguard stations are established, and petty sessions are held here once a fortnight. Bray has long been a favourite watering-place, and the number of visitors has increased since the construction of the railway. In Little Bray are the remains of a castle, which are converted into a barrack. There are also in the town a hospital, with a dispensary, and a savings-bank. Provident and loan societies were established some years since. The living is a rectory united with the vicarage of Old Connaught, in the diocese of Dublin, Glendalagh, and Kildare, of the annual value of £480, in the patronage of the crown. The church was built in 1609, and stands on high ground by the river. There is a handsome Roman Catholic chapel, a chapel belonging to the Presbyterians, and National, infant, and other schools. In the neighbourhood of Bray are many beautiful seats of the nobility and gentry. Kilruddery, the seat of the Earl of Meath, is a noble mansion in the perpendicular style of architecture, situated in a finely-wooded park of about 900 acres, lying south of the town, between Bray Head and the Little Sugar-loaf Hill. The latter rises to the height of 1,120 feet above the sea. Bray Head, the seat of G. Putland, Esq., is an elegant structure in the Italian style, beautifully situated in extensive grounds near the foot of the hill, and commanding splendid views of hill and sea. Among the other residences are Old Court, St. Valerie, Old Connaught House, the seat of Lord Plunket, Rich View, &c. There are remains of castles at Little Bray, Old Court, and Fassarow House. A martello tower stands near Bray Head. Tuesday and Saturday are the market days. Fairs are held on the 12th January, the 4th May, the 5th August, and the 12th November, for the sale of friezes; and on the 1st March, May, and July, the 15th August, the 20th September, and the 14th December, for the sale of cattle. There is a racecourse on the north bank of the river, where races are held once a year."

"KILRUDDERY, a hamlet in the parish of Bray, barony of Rathdown, county Wicklow, Ireland, 4 miles from Bray, and 14 S. of Dublin. It has a natural theatre formed in the grounds of the seat of the Earl of Meath."

"OLDCOURT, a demesne in the parish of Bray, near Bray, county Wicklow, Ireland. The mansion as originally built in the reign of Henry VI. by Sir Thomas Mulso, whose tower is still standing."

"UPPER COOKSTOWN, (and Lower) hamlets in the parish of Bray, barony of Rathdown, in the county of Wicklow, province of Leinster, Ireland, 15 miles S.W. of Dublin. They are situated in a beautiful spot on the coast of St. George's Channel, where the Cookstown rivulet joins the river Bray.

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018