Irish walks

Walk to Bray Head

Bray Head, at top sits a concrete cross erected in 1950 for holy year (1953), enjoy striking views of Dublin Bay and promenade below.

The fun starts here, we are on our way.

Any hill that rises straight out of the sea can only fuel your imagination of whats going on underneath the water, but lets climb to the cross.

This is a popular hill and you will share the ascent with the many punters, especially on weekends. It’s not complicated with a good trail most of the way but there are some difficult bits, and can get mucky so good footwear is recommended, I always bring my boots.

Bray Head Cross

Every Good Friday many hundreds of people climb to the top of the head marking the stations of the Cross as they go, with the final station held at the holy year cross. This cross rises above the town at 241 metres (791 feet). This thriving urban town of Bray, Irelands oldest seaside resort is the perfect day trip location.

This cross was erected in 1950. Christopher Dodd and Sons engaged over 20 labourers in building the cross, Rev William Breen had suggested the building a cross on the 20th of June 1950 and was given full backing from Bray Urban District Council. A civil engineer called Fergus Clarke designed the cross, permission was granted by Lord Meath to facilitate this work. Sand and gravel was transported by truck and equipment by horse and cart. To make a hole big enough for the cross a small hole was needed to place gelignite to blast it to 30ft.There is a time capsule with religious artefacts and workers names at the base of the cross. The planned blessing of the cross was for the 17th September 1950 but inclement weather delayed this by a week.

After you arrive at the cross, enjoy the most beautiful views of Dublin Bay and sometimes Wales and the outline of the Mourne Mountains. This upper path continues south connecting with the lower walk but finding this trail requires local knowledge.

When you see Greystones check for a trail that leads down to the main Bray Greystones walk, best to ask some locals as its difficult to find and is for hillwalkers only.