The Signal Arts Centre in Bray, Wicklow, is planning to take culture enthusiasts on a captivating trip down memory lane as part of Bray’s contribution to Culture Night 2024.
If you have fond memories of The Who, Status Quo, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Dickie Rock or The Miami Showband performing in Bray – yes, in Bray – then this event will evoke a sense of nostalgia. If you're too young to remember these musical legends, grab your family and head down to the arts centre for ‘Building Bray’, which kicks off at 4pm on Friday, September 20, and features a special heritage walk at 6.30pm followed by film screenings at 7.30pm.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Signal’s manager, Don Rorke, explained that the walk will lead participants through some of the town's iconic landmarks, many of which are no longer standing. BIFE graduate Don, who is the creative force behind one of the films that will be screened later in the evening, A Barbershop History of Bray, will guide you through a captivating journey back in time.
Don will lead you to the sites of renowned buildings, like the Arcadia Ballroom, which in its heyday, held up to 5,000 people and hosted music legends like The Who. The ballroom's final curtain fell in the 1970s, and it was later repurposed as a cash and carry store. It then stood as an eyesore until it was demolished in 2019 to make way for new homes.
Today, Dargan Hall, the apartment block opposite the Dart station, occupies the site. It's a reminder of how the town has evolved, but it also begs the question: why wasn't Dargan Hall named after Arcadia? Or Fran O'Toole? Or even Pete Townshend? Perhaps a question for Don as you stroll past humming the chorus of ‘We won’t get fooled again’.
Lost Treasures of Bray
Other historic buildings that will be featured on the walk include the Turkish baths, which once stood proudly on Quinnsborough Road. Designed in a flamboyant Moorish style, the baths were inaugurated in 1859, modeled after the baths in Cork, pioneered by London-trained physician Dr Richard Barte. However, their glory was short-lived, and they closed in 1867. Today, the site is occupied by Tesco Express.
The walk will also take you past the former site of the International Hotel, the Carlisle Grounds, the Harbour Bar, and the former homes of literary giants James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.
Preserving Bray's History
Following the walk, two films produced by Signal artists will be screened: The Hotel, a 10-minute piece about the Bray Head Hotel, and A Barbershop History of Bray, which Don created with David Ryan in 2012. The 45-minute documentary sheds light on Bray's journey from a thriving seaside town to a period of decline.
Signal will also be projecting a “Signal past, present and future” display on a loop onto the exterior of the building, showcasing images from the arts venue's history and its vision for the future.
Beyond Bray: Culture Night Celebrations Across Wicklow
Wicklow's Culture Night line-up is an exciting and diverse program of free events and activities taking place on Friday, September 20, in 14 locations across County Wicklow.
In Baltinglass, Stratford Lodge will host a special concert featuring headliner Róisín O, alongside local musicians and singers. An artisan craft market will take place in Germaine’s Inisfáil, showcasing artists and craftspeople from across the county. For those interested in science and technology, Fatima Hall will host virtual Reeality workshops for young people.
The Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray will celebrate the launch of the Holy Show arts magazine with poet Jane Clarke and photographer David Stephen. RTÉ Arena will also broadcast live from the Mermaid, and the night will culminate with the opening of Harold Offeh’s Leisure Seekers multi-media installation.
In Arklow, the ‘Culture Crawl’ returns, inviting participants to explore a trail of cultural hotspots featuring a variety of artists and creatives. Bray Jazz Festival returns to Rathdrum's St Saviour’s Church with a double bill featuring Belfast-based Córas Trio and Irish folk and bluegrass band Navá.
Wicklow Library Services have curated a program of performances at libraries in Arklow, Ballywaltrim, Blessington, Carnew, Dunlavin, Enniskerry, Rathdrum, Tinahely, and Wicklow town.
In Arklow, artist Conor Walton’s Portrait Marathon will begin at 10am, where he will create 18 portraits in 12 hours. Each completed piece will be displayed live throughout the day. In Tinahely, writer Sylvia Cullen will give a public reading of her work, accompanied by contributors to The Book of Tomnafinnoge, which she edited in 2021.
Greystones will host international poetry readings from Sean Borodale, Jane Clarke, and Viviana Fiorentino as part of Poetry from the Edge, exploring climate change, nature, and the power of words to inspire change. The Only Ones, a local teenage duo, Denis Morrissey and Ed Morrissey, will perform their original rock songs in Wicklow.
Finally, in Greystones, The Whale Theatre, will host Sounds from the Burren, featuring artists, musicians, and singer-songwriters based in the Burren area of Clare.
All events are free, but advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Take a stroll down memory lane and experience the rich history and cultural tapestry of Bray and Wicklow.
This Culture Night promises to be a captivating journey through time and back again. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of these vibrant communities.
