Bray Harbour Day

For the first time ever, all four of Bray's harbour clubs came together on the same day to celebrate what makes this town so special, our harbour. Bray Sailing Club, Bray Sea Anglers, Bray Rowing Club and 5th Wicklow Sea Scouts each had stands set up along the harbour, with members out in force to chat to locals about their sports, their clubs, and how to get involved. The event was supported by The Harbour Bar, and with the sunshine making a very welcome appearance, the atmosphere was just brilliant.

As a member of Bray Sailing Club myself, it was genuinely exciting to be part of a day like this, and to see the four clubs standing shoulder to shoulder, working together to showcase everything the harbour has to offer. That kind of collaboration doesn't always happen easily, and it was really heartening to see.

The idea behind Bray Harbour Day was simple but effective: rather than locals having to seek out individual clubs at different times, everyone was in one place on one day. That's particularly valuable for the many new residents who have moved to Bray in recent years and may not yet know what's available right on their doorstep. From sailboats to a beautiful wooden rowing skiff, standup paddleboards to angling gear, there was plenty to see and explore. John McNulty from Bray Adventures was also on hand for those interested in kayaking and standup paddling.

The response from the public was overwhelming. Bray Sea Anglers reported more membership enquiries than they had ever received at a single event, with a number of people signing up on the spot. The Bray Rowing Club stand drew huge interest, with their colourful skiff and their young rowers proudly representing the club. The Sea Scouts had a wonderful opportunity to introduce themselves to families who simply hadn't known what Scouting involves. And Bray Sailing Club? Well, it's safe to say there was no shortage of curious faces stopping by!

As Leas-Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, I was proud to attend in an official capacity too – because events like this are exactly the kind of community-led initiative that deserve recognition and support. Bray Harbour is a tremendous asset, and with Bray Rowing Club now based there, the harbour will soon have over 1,000 regular weekly users. That is something to celebrate.

The feedback from the public has been so positive that the clubs are already planning to make Bray Harbour Day an annual event – and I think that's a brilliant decision. Watch this space! ☀️🚣