In medieval times, Bray was on the borders of the coastal
district known as the Pale. It was governed directly by
the English crown from Dublin Castle. Local chieftains,
the O'Toole's and the O'Bryrne's, ruled the countryside
around Bray until Oliver Cromwell's army stormed through
Ireland....{more}
Glendalough was originally founded by St. Kevin in the
6th century. Kevin, born in 498, is said to be a descendant
from the House of Leinster but rejected his life of privilege
to pursue a more spiritual calling. After spending some
time living in a cave in the Wicklow Mountains, Kevin
eventually founded a monastery in the valley situated
between two lakes. This monastery was to become one of
Ireland's most notable centers of learning which, at its
height of popularity, once housed over 200 monks and 2000
students!...{more}
Greystones' name was derived from the grey rocks that
stretch along the seafront for about one-kilometer. Though,
at certain times of the day, the rocks take on a more
blue-green hue...{more}
In the beginning, under orders of a Norman knight called
le Poer, a castle was built on this site in the 12th century
as part of a fortified Anglo-Norman defensive system.
Later the name le Poer was Anglicized as Power. Over the
centuries, the castle fell into the ownership of powerful
families, including the O'Toole's and the Fitzgeralds,
the Earls of Kildare...{more}
Another major event that took place on this location
was the filming of the movie Excalibur. A bridge was constructed
for the scene over the stream where Arthur meets, and
eventually battles Lancelot of the Lakes. The bridge has
since been removed but you will definitely recognize the
waterfall once you see it and the movie...{more}
