Doesn’t the name Bray Commons conjure images of shared spaces and community? Bray Commons is located in the Civil Parish of Old Connaught. It is found in the Barony of Rathdown. And it lies within County Wicklow.
Bray Commons. It is more than just a name. It is a place with a history. Bray itself has traces of Bronze Age settlements dating back 2300 to 600 BC. Romans may have even visited Bray around the first century BC.
Now, about Bray Commons itself. The Irish name for Bray Commons is Coimín Bhré. Bray Commons was added to OpenStreetMap on January 2, 2015. Boggedy made the addition.
Let’s talk about location. Bray Commons sits at 53° 12′ 18″ N latitude and 6° 6′ 58″ W longitude. Getting technical for a moment its area spans 0.30 square kilometers.
Interestingly, Bray Commons is the 54770th largest townland nationwide. Within County Wicklow, it ranks as the 1269th largest.
Bray’s documented history begins in Norman times. Around 1171, Strongbow granted lands to Sir Walter de Riddlesford. The town developed around de Riddlesford’s manor. It included a castle, church, and mill. The Brabazon Family of Killruddery also shaped Bray’s history. James 1st granted Killruddery to Edward Baron Ardee in 1619.
The arrival of the railway in 1834 transformed Bray. William Dargan, a railway entrepreneur, is largely responsible. The bustling town became a popular seaside resort. It earned the nickname “Brighton of Ireland”.
Consider this. In 1842, St Peter’s Catholic Graveyard was blessed. In 1843, a brave aeronaut narrowly escaped disaster. His gas balloon fell from the sky over the sea at Bray. Celebrations erupted when the new Earl and Countess of Meath arrived at Kilruddery in 1851. Fireworks and bonfires lit up Bray Head and the Sugarloaf.
Bray Commons may not have bonfires. It does have a place in this rich tapestry. It shares in Bray’s story. It connects to the broader history of County Wicklow. Bray Commons represents community and shared heritage.