Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has welcomed the news that Wicklow County Council will be accepting expressions of interest for the former Bray Boxing Club premises at Bray harbour, a facility that has remained vacant and unused for the past seven years.
Deputy Brady, who originally led the campaign for the old harbour shed to be developed into Bray Boxing Club and helped to secured the Sports Capital Funding to build the facility, said the move is long overdue and represents an important opportunity to put this valuable community resource back into use.
“I am delighted that after seven long years of this facility lying idle, we are finally seeing the movement to bring it back into use for the benefit of the community”, said Deputy Brady. “There are so many brilliant sporting clubs in the Bray area crying out for a space to call home – and this facility could help meet that urgent need”.
Wicklow County Council is now seeking expressions of interest from fully constituted sports clubs located within the Bray Municipal District, and which participate in sports that are recognised by Sport Ireland, with applications closing at 4pm on Thursday, 18th of July.
Deputy Brady encouraged all eligible local groups to apply and said he is available to provide assistance or further information.
“I would strongly encourage any local sports clubs who are in need of a premises to consider applying”, he said. “Anyone interested can get in touch with me directly and I will be happy to provide more details or support them through the process”.
Brady also stressed the broader importance of spaces like this for local development and youth engagement.
“Community spaces are more than just bricks and mortar, they are vital public assets that allow local groups to thrive, provide services for young people, and strengthen the social fabric of our town. Unfortunately, Bray has a serious shortage of such facilities, and that makes it all the more important that this one is finally brought back into active use”.
He concluded: “This is a positive step forward for the harbour area and the wider Bray community. I worked hard to secure this resource at the time, and I am proud to see it now being returned to serve the people who need it most”.
