18-Year-Old Launches Free Bray Walking Tours

Jake with Jonathan Donnelly and Erika Doyle

atest press release from Bray & District Chamber Of Commerce, issued on Wednesday, May 13th 2026…

Bray Tourism and Bray & District Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with local Leaving Certificate student Jake Mitchell have launched free walking tours of the town.

Jake hopes to bring a fresh perspective to tourism with the launch of two free themed tours celebrating the town’s history, culture, music, film connections, and hidden stories.

Bray Main Street 1963

The initiative aims to give locals and visitors a more personal and engaging way to experience Bray.

“I wanted to create something that felt accessible, interesting, and genuinely enjoyable for people of all ages,” said the 18-year-old founder of Bray Walking Tours. “Bray has so much character and history, but there are also so many fascinating stories connected to music, film, and culture that people walk past every day without noticing.”

The tours are completely free to attend but participants are encouraged to give the volunteer guides a gratuity at the end. There will be two separate tours, Bray’s History and Culture along Bray’s Movies, Music and More, and each will last approximately two hours, starting at Bray Train Station and ending at the bandstand on the promenade.

One focuses on Bray’s rich history and cultural heritage, guiding visitors through stories of Victorian Bray, local landmarks, famous figures, and the town’s evolution over the years. The second tour takes a more modern and entertainment-focused approach, highlighting the town’s links to music, movies, television and pop culture.

The walks are limited to 20 people per tour and people must book in advance here or by emailing here. A limited number of tours will take place between now and the end of June due to Jake sitting his Leaving Certificate before a full schedule begins in July – but bookings are open now.

Representatives from both Bray Tourism and Bray Chamber welcomed the initiative, praising the student’s creativity and enthusiasm for promoting the town.

“The launch of these tours is a fantastic example of the energy and innovation coming from young people in Bray,” said the Chair of Bray Tourism, Eugene Finnegan. “Projects like this help showcase the unique character of our town while encouraging visitors to engage more deeply with Bray’s history and culture.”

The President of Bray & District Chamber of Commerce Jonathan Donnelly also expressed support for the project, saying, “It is incredibly encouraging to see a young entrepreneur creating something positive for the local community and tourism sector. These tours offer a fresh and modern way to experience Bray, and we are delighted to support the initiative.”

“I would like to thank Sarah Finnegan of Finnegan Coaches, Brian White of Bray Cualann Historical Society, Kathy Lee O’Toole of Bray & District Chamber, Bray Municipal District Administrator Brian Wildes and Councillor Erika Doyle, who were all very helpful in setting up the tours,” adds Jake.

Fair fecks, young man. We’ve been waiting for another reason to visit Bray.

You can find out the Bray Walking Tour schedules – and book your spot – here, and check out our own half-baked history of the town here.