Bray, resort town on the Irish Sea in County Wicklow, in east central Ireland. Bray is situated 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Dublin. Immediately south of the town is Bray Head, which rises to 241 m (791 ft) and affords panoramic views of the area. At the base of Bray Head is the fossil Oldhamia, one of the oldest fossils found in Ireland. The surrounding region is scenic mountain country.
In about 1170 Richard de Clare, 2nd earl of Pembroke, gave the town of Bray to Walter de Reddesford, who then took the title of Baron Bray and built a castle there. In the 19th century, railroad promoter William Dargan developed the community into a popular resort town. Tourists increase the population of Bray to 30,000 during the summer. A majority of the year-round residents are retired people. Population (1996) 28,000.
