Sunshine and strong community spirit combined for the first-ever Bray Harbour Day last weekend. Four harbour-based clubs joined forces to showcase sailing, rowing, angling and scouting activities at the Co Wicklow waterfront. Bray Sailing Club, Bray Sea Anglers, Bray Rowing Club, and the 5th Wicklow Sea Scouts all hosted stands at the harbour on Saturday, 9 May.
Councillors Caroline Winstanley and Erika Doyle with Johnny Honner, Philip O’Reilly and Ollie Noonan of Bray Sailing Club during Bray Harbour Day. Photo: Philip O'Reilly
The event was supported by The Harbour Bar and also featured kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding with Bray Adventures. Organisers said the aim was to introduce more residents to the wide range of water-based activities available in Bray.
The harbour now attracts more than 1,000 regular weekly users, with Bray Rowing Club preparing to relocate to the area. Visitors were able to inspect sailing dinghies, rowing skiffs, angling equipment and paddleboards while speaking directly with club members.
Several clubs reported strong interest in membership and training opportunities throughout the day. “We’ve never had so many enquiries about membership,” said John Douglas of Bray Sea Angling Club. “A number of people signed up for membership on the spot,” he added.
Bray Rowing Club also reported high levels of interest at its stand. “There was a great buzz at the rowing stand, and we had a large number of enquiries wanting to take up rowing,” said John Curran of Bray Rowing Club.
Local councillors Erika Doyle and Caroline Winstanley attended the event and praised the clubs for working together. Councillor Winstanley said Bray Harbour offered “healthy water-based activities” and welcomed efforts to promote them to the wider public. Councillor Doyle described Bray as “a seaside town with a working harbour and a great tradition of coastal activities”.
For the 5th Wicklow Sea Scouts, the event helped explain the role of scouting to the wider community. “It was a lovely opportunity to explain to people who have no children in the Scouts what it is that we do,” said group leader Fidelma Savage.
Councillors Caroline Winstanley and Erika Doyle with Fidelma Savage and members of the 5th Wicklow Sea Scouts during Bray Harbour Day. Photo: Philip O'Reilly
Philip O’Reilly of Bray Sailing Club, who coordinated the event, said Bray Harbour had “so much to offer in terms of water activity”.
Councillors Caroline Winstanley and Erika Doyle with Philip O’Reilly of Bray Sailing Club during the first Bray Harbour Day. Photo: Philip O'Reilly
John Treanor, Commodore of Bray Sailing Club, said the positive response meant organisers now planned to make Bray Harbour Day an annual event.
