Bray Makes Top 20 Places To Live

How The Irish Times sees Bray

espite the fact that a big chunk of their journalists live in our Protestant stronghold, it would appear that The Irish Times has turned on us.

How else to explain Greystones not making the top 50 of their 20 Best Places To Live In Ireland?

The feckin’ fecks.

We’re too lazy to check on this soggy Monday afternoon, but we’re pretty sure Greystones has been on that list each and every year. And if our hangover serves us well, we won the bugger each and every year too.

And yet, here we are, banished to the outer regions of Ballygobackwards with ne’er a mention or a howyadoin’?

Shocking. All together.

That our neighbour, Bray, should find itself sitting pretty in the towns section – alongside Blackrock in Co Louth, Carrick-On-Shannon, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Enniskillen, Gorey, Killarney, Monaghan, Rostrevor and Tullamore just adds sibling insult to Fenian injury.

Always felt it was a mistake giving the Duggans that much power.

With a total of 55 nominations for That Place Over The Hill, Nikki McLaughlin’s pitch reads, ‘Bray people are helpful, happy and have a hearty love of life. The mountains and the sea give it the prettiest of backdrops. Bray provides all manner of activities, from the wonderful Bray Wanderers, Bray Emmets and Bray Lakers to soccer, martial arts, Irish dancing and boxing clubs. The blue flag beach and a Victorian promenade attract families from all over Ireland and abroad. And it’s free! We feel lucky.’

A free promenade? That’s what swung it…?

For its part, The Judas Times reckons, ‘Bray’s natural landscape makes it special. With its parks, walking routes, cycling opportunities and fresh sea air, it’s clearly a great place for a growing family and young teens. The efficient transport system makes it handy to get in and out of Dublin for those working in the wider economy – or there’s a co-working space for techies.’

A computer desk in the local library? That’s what swung it…?

Money changed hands here. We can smell it.

Sure, everyone knows that the only good thing to come out of Bray is the Cliff Walk to Greystones. So, maybe they meant Top 20 Places To Leave?

Still, congrats to our big brother, and to the other 49 contenders in this year’s title battle. You can check ’em all out here, and Bray’s history here.