Swan Sanctuary, Bray Harbour
Observe graceful swans in their natural habitat at this peaceful sanctuary on Bray Harbour, a beloved landmark in County Wicklow.
A tranquil haven in Bray, Co. Wicklow, the Swan Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to observe graceful swans and other waterfowl in a serene environment against the backdrop of Bray Harbour. It's a perfect spot for leisurely strolls and appreciating local wildlife.
A brief summary to Swan Sanctuary
- The Harbour, Harbour Road, Bray, Ravenswell, Co. Wicklow, IE
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best bird activity and peaceful scenery.
- Bring some bird feed if allowed, but be sure to check local guidelines to protect the wildlife.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the paths and be prepared for varying weather conditions.
- Consider combining your visit with a walk along the Bray seafront for a full day of scenic enjoyment.
Getting There
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Walking
From Bray Main Street, head towards the seafront and walk south along the promenade. Continue until you reach Bray Harbour. Turn right onto Harbour Road, and the Swan Sanctuary will be on your left. The walk from Bray Main Street to the sanctuary is approximately 15 minutes.
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Public Transport
From Bray Main Street, take bus number 45A, E1, L1, L2, or L15 towards Ravenswell. Ask the driver to drop you off at the stop nearest to The Harbour on Harbour Road. From there, walk towards Harbour Road until you see the Swan Sanctuary. A single fare on Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann services within the Bray area typically costs around €2-€4.
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Taxi
From anywhere in Bray, a taxi to the Swan Sanctuary at The Harbour, Harbour Road, Ravenswell, Co. Wicklow, should cost approximately €10-€15, depending on the starting location. Ensure the driver is familiar with the location or use a GPS navigation app to guide them.
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Car
From the south (e.g., Wicklow Town), take the R750 road towards Bray. Follow signs for 'The Harbour' and 'Ravenswell'. Use Harbour Road to reach the Swan Sanctuary, located directly at The Harbour, Ravenswell. Free parking is available along the road near the sanctuary. Alternatively, Q-Park Bray in central Bray offers parking a short walk from Bray Harbour. Parking here costs €2.80 for up to 2 hours, €5.60 for up to 3 hours, or €12.00 for up to 24 hours. Another option is Herbert Road Car Park (Holy Redeemer Church), which charges €1.00 per hour or €4.00 for a day.
Discover more about Swan Sanctuary
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
The Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bray
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Raheen-A-Cluig
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Oldcourt castle
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The Brandy Hole
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Squirrel's Scramble
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Alive Outside Adventure Centre
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Killruddery Lime Avenue Walk
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Killiney
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Great Sugar Loaf
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Dalkey Island
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Kindlestown Castle
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Unmissable attractions to see
The Harbour Bar
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Bray Bay Beach
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River Dargle Viewing Platform
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Airshow Bray
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Bray Bandstand
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Bray Seafront
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Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre
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Bray Promenade and Beach
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Bray canal
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Bray
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Star Leisure & Casino
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Bray Head Cliff Walk
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Naylors Cove
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Bray Head
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Bray Head Cross
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Essential places to dine
Dockyard No.8
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Fishbar
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Platform Pizza Bar Bray
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Fika Rooftop
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Daata Bray
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Ocean Bar & Grill Bray
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Uncle Pan Cafe
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Henry & Rose Super Fast Food
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Nine
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I GUFI CAFE
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Roasters
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Butler & Barry
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McGettigan's
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Carpe Diem
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Elephant & Castle Bray
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Tesco Express
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Sevenoaks and Steele
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O'Briens Wine Off-Licence Bray Quinsborough Road
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Chuan Jin Lin Asian Supermarket
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Tony's Asian Market
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Que-va
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Finders Keepers
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La Belle
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In The Groove
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Liberty Charity Shop
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One oh Nine
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Echo Bar
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O'Driscolls Seaside Bar
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The Tin Roof Bar
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Conlon's Wine Bar Bray
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The Coach Inn
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The Ardmore
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Frank Duffs
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The Beach House
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The Horse and Hound, Delgany / Bellevue Restaurant
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Druid's Well Pub
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The Castle Inn Wicklow
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Americana Cocktail Bar
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