With its location by the sea and the Wicklow Mountains, yet only 40 minutes on the DART to the city, Bray is an attractive mix of busy county town, tourist centre and commuter suburb. For that reason, planning is more complex and changes are not always welcomed. The biggest problem by far in Bray is the traffic. The residential element of an amended application to develop Bray Emmet's grounds behind St Cronan's is meeting with strong opposition from residents anxious about increased traffic flows on Main Street. The transfer of Bray Golf Club to new links on Bray Head has been given the go-ahead, making way for the development of the club's old site at Ravenswell.
There is a good mix of house-styles in Bray, from period terraces to new three-bed, four-bed and five-bedroom houses with en suites and downstairs lavatories. The selection of schools is excellent - you can go from kindergarten to leaving certificate without moving out of town. For sporting enthusiasts, there is sailing, cycling, golf, horse-riding, fishing and tennis.
Prices are at Dublin levels because Bray young people tend to stay. A two-up-two-down ex-council house on Wolfe Tone or Connolly Squares will cost about £135,000. There is a good supply of modern three-bed and four-bed semis on quiet estates for around £160,000. On the seafront or on the avenues off the Main Street, the sky's the limit.
