One Mile Long - Bray Seafront Remembered. Revisiting the post-war halcyon days of Bray’s seafront; a time when thousands of Irish and British holiday-makers along with Dublin day-drippers strolled the Promenade and thronged its once sandy beaches. Stories from those who came, those who worked and those who grew up there. Time was when visitors who had just arrived on spec and late at night had to sleep in one of the town's three cinemas which were kept open overnight to cope with the influx. Next morning they would search the many guesthouses and housing estates for accommodation.
The hotels and guesthouses suffered in the years prior to the World War II and then after cross was put up on Bray Head, the resort itself underwent a sort of resurrection in the 1950s.
Visitors from many towns of industrial Britain enjoyed the large ratio-free portions on offer. The clean air and the mile long prom were instant attractions. The cross on Bray Head and the chair lift to the Eagles Nest drew the more curious and adventurous visitors. In the days before health and safety, scores of rowing and paddle boats were available for hourly hire.
Trays of hot water and tea could be carried back to the brightly striped deck chairs which festooned the green grass. Relive and share the memories of these long summer days before the Internet, mobile phones, colour TVs and before the advent of 'foreign' continental travel by aeroplane!
This programme is a revised and updated programme compiled from the original two part series 2008 production.
One Mile Long- Bray Seafront Remembered. A 21st-Century Vox production. Produced by Pat Hannon for East Coast FM. For further historical sources visit the Town Hall Bookshop (opposite Dealz)on Bray's Florence Road. For a brilliant resource of old photographs and clippings etc. go to Facebook and logon to Bray - Did You Know? https://www.facebook.com/braydidyouknow/
or checkout http://www.countywicklowheritage.org/index.aspx or your local and helpful library.
