Overview

Bray Daly railway station (Stáisiún Bhré / Uí Dhálaigh) is the main rail gateway to the seaside town of Bray, County Wicklow. Situated on Florence Road, just 600 m from Main Street, the Blue‑Flag beach and the iconic Victorian promenade, the station sits on the edge of the harbour and serves the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) line, Intercity Dublin‑Rosslare services and a range of commuter routes linking Dublin with the south‑east.

History / Background

The line through Bray was engineered by William Dargan in the mid‑19th century, part of his vision to turn the quiet fishing village into “the Brighton of Ireland”. The station opened on 10 July 1854 as “Bray” on the Dublin‑Kingstown extension, originally built by the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway. It was a single‑through platform serving both north‑ and south‑bound trains.

In 1928 the station was rebuilt with a second platform and a bay for shuttle services to Greystones. The original name was changed to “Bray Daly” on 10 April 1966 to honour Edward Daly, a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising, as part of Córas Iompair Éireann’s commemorative programme.

From 1984 until the DART extension to Greystones in 2000, Bray was the southern terminus of the DART network, complete with extensive sidings for train stabling. Although many DART services now continue to Greystones, a large proportion still terminate at Bray, making the station a bustling hub for commuters heading north to Howth, Malahide and Dublin city centre.

A short‑lived steam rail‑motor service operated between 1906 and 1908, providing an early experiment in suburban rail travel. The station also hosted a diesel shuttle (201/121 class) between Bray and Greystones from 1984 until the DART extension in 1990.

Mural Art

One of the station’s most distinctive features is the series of murals on Platform 2. The panels begin with an 1852 painting of the line’s opening ceremony and continue chronologically, depicting Irish and railway history. Notable figures include Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, scenes from the 1916 Rising and a 1960s hippy couple. By 2008 the original plasterwork was deteriorating; the artist began a mosaic‑replacement programme, giving the murals a durable, colourful finish that can be enjoyed by today’s travellers.

What to See & Do

Mural Walk – Stroll along Platform 2 to admire the historic panels, a quick cultural interlude before boarding your train.
Promenade Access – Exit the station onto the Victorian‑era Bray Promenade, a wheelchair‑friendly 1.6 km walkway lined with cafés, ice‑cream parlours (e.g., Gino’s Gelato) and the classic bandstand.
Bray Beach & Harbour – Just beyond the promenade, the Blue‑Flag beach offers sand, shingle and lifeguarded swimming in summer; the harbour hosts mute swans and small fishing boats.
Bray Head & Cliff Walk – A short walk leads to the base of Bray Head (791 ft) crowned by a stone cross with 360° sea‑mountain views. The adjacent cliff walk forms part of the popular Bray‑to‑Greystones trail, suitable for a gentle coastal stroll. See the dedicated guide Bray‑to‑Greystones Walk.
The Brandy Hole – Visit the historic smuggler’s cove on Bray Head, linked here: The Brandy Hole.
Nearby Attractions – Within easy reach are the National Sea Life Centre, the Mermaid Arts Centre, Helios Sauna, Bray Bowl, the annual Bray Air Display and the historic smuggler’s cove The Brandy Hole on Bray Head. A short bus ride brings you to the award‑winning Killruddery House & Gardens.

Killruddery House and Gardens, Bray, Co Wicklow — Killruddery House & Gardens – a short bus ride from the station (Credit: Courtesy Failte Ireland)

Station Facilities – The main building houses a coffee stall, small shop, ATM and unheated public toilets. Sheltered bicycle racks encourage greener exploration of the promenade and cliff walk. An electric‑vehicle charging point is available in the adjacent car park (located near the main entrance). Parking is provided in a large, 24‑hour car park; fees may apply.

Recent Upgrade – Bray Transport Interchange (2025)

In September 2025 a €3.5 million “Bray Dart Interchange” project was officially opened. The works, funded by the National Transport Authority and Wicklow County Council, transformed the station’s surroundings into a modern multimodal hub. Key improvements include:

Realigned bus bays and a dedicated taxi rank, reducing conflict between road vehicles and pedestrians.
Widened footpaths and new pedestrian crossings linking the station to the promenade and the town centre.
New tree planting, benches and lighting to create a more pleasant waiting environment.
Refurbished the distinctive pyramid‑style glass roof over Platform 2 and upgraded the main station building’s façade.
Enhanced cycle facilities with additional sheltered racks and clearer signage.

The upgrade aims to encourage greater use of public transport and to make the interchange more accessible for families, cyclists and people with reduced mobility.

Transport Connections

Rail services: DART (frequent north‑south connections), Intercity Dublin‑Rosslare, commuter trains to Greystones, Maynooth and the Dundalk‑Arklow‑Gorey corridor.
Station code: BRAY – fare zone Suburban 3.
Platforms: Two main passenger platforms (1 west, 2 east over the footbridge) are in regular use; Platform 3 is seldom used, mainly for train cleaning.
Ticket office: Open 07:00–10:00, Monday‑Friday (closed weekends). Ticket machines operate at all other times.
Bus links: Stops outside the station serve Dublin Bus (routes 45A, 45B, 131, L1, L2, L12, L14, L15), Go‑Ahead Ireland and Bus Éireann routes (184, 185). Additional services stop at Bray Main Street, 600 m away.
Taxi & Car: A busy taxi rank and a large adjacent car park (open 24 h, fees may apply) make onward travel straightforward.
Cycling: Sheltered bicycle parking is provided inside the station.
Accessibility: Lifts on the footbridge and a new gate give wheelchair‑friendly access to Platform 2; the promenade is also wheelchair‑accessible.

Practical Information

Opening hours: Retail outlets and the coffee stall operate during peak commuter times; the ticket office is open 07:00–10:00 Monday‑Friday. Train services run from early morning until late night.
Parking & EV charging: A 24‑hour car park sits beside the station; an electric‑vehicle charging point is listed on PlugShare and is situated near the main entrance of the car park. Exact fee details are not published online.
Facilities: Coffee stall, small shop, ATM, unheated public toilets, sheltered bike racks.
Accessibility: New gate and lifts provide step‑free access to Platform 2; limited wheelchair‑accessible spaces are available on trains (book in advance).

Bray Daly Station is more than a transport hub – it is the literal front door to County Wicklow’s coastal charm, blending historic railway heritage with immediate access to beaches, trails and vibrant town life.