Greystones (Irish: Na Clocha Liatha ) is a coastal town and seaside resort in Wicklow, Ireland. It is located on the east coast of Ireland, 8 km (5.0 mi) south of Bray and 27 km (17 mi) south of Dublin, with a population of about 17,000. The town bordering the Irish Sea in the east, Bray Head in the north and the Wicklow Mountains to the west.

The town was named after one kilometer long gray rocks between the two beaches on the ocean. The port area and the railway station is on the northern and southern ends respectively. North Beach, which begins at the harbor, is a rocky beach and a portion of its length is overlooked by the southern cliffs of Bray Head, which is subject to erosion. South Beach is a wide sandy beach about one kilometer long. There is a Blue Flag beach and receives many visitors and tourists, mainly during the summer.

In 2008 Greystones named the world’s most liveable society “at the Awards in China. [1]

History

Greystones is south of the site of an ancient castle of the Barony of Rathdown. There was a small village, like the castle, was known as Rathdown, which appeared on a 1712 map. This site occupied an area now called the Grove, north of Greystones harbor, but only the ruins of a chapel, St. Crispin Cell survive. Greystones is a very recent settlement and first mentioned in Topographia Hibernica , a 1795 publication. It is described as a“noted fishing spot four miles outside Bray.”

In the early 19’s there were some families scattered around the harbor, Black, Wind Gates, Killincarrig and Rathdown. Delgany was a more extensive and longer-established village. However Greystones put on the map with the arrival of the railway in 1855, a difficult task carried out in consultation with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous engineer. The train station was built on the line between the properties of two landowners; the La Touche family, Bellevue House (now in ruins, near Delgany), and Hawkins-Whitshed family Killincarrig House (now Greystones Golf Club). That gave contacts with Bray and Dublin, and left room for development on adjacent farms.

During the latter half of the 19th century, under the ownership of William Robert La Touche, Greystones “development momentum. North of the station, where Church Road, Victoria Road and Trafalgar Road and set many houses built in the years after the arrival of the railroad. After his father’s death, Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed was the sole heir of his property. In 1879, she married Frederick Gustavus Burnaby; a soldier, politician and travel. Burnaby died in battle in 1885, Elizabeth married twice, but the property continued to be called Burnaby Estate. In the early 20’s, began to Burnaby to expand the town on his side of the station, and the roads and houses in Burnaby has been developed and the population grew rapidly. The names of these two families remain well known today, with many roads and residential areas that bears their name.

Between 1885 and 1897, people Greystones campaign for a port to help the fishing industry and imports such as coal. The pier, dock, sea wall and boat slip left but has endured significant damage. In the early 20th century, the city felt the effects of coastal erosion (which is still a major problem); loss of fields and most of the houses on the North Beach Road , and costly internal relocation of the railway has all led to. In 1968, the old Kis to the lighthouse foundation added to the end of the pier.

At the end of World War II, cars and petrol became widely available, making Grey will gradually expand, filling the space between itself and outlying areas such as Black, Killincarrig and Delgany. But the popularity of the railroad declined; its existence is in danger in the 1980s, as government cutbacks reduced service only a few trains per day. During the 1990s, a revival with the arrival of the electrified DART from Bray, and a much more frequent schedule.

Grey has experienced a huge increase in its population since the 1970s with the construction of several large residential areas. A new development at Charles Country, just south of the city, including over 1,000 apartments. As of the 2006 census, the population in Greystones, including town and surrounding areas, amounting to 14,569 making it the second largest town in the county after Bray. [2]

Along with residential neighborhoods, the roads and facilities improved to cater for growth. The road between Greystones and Bray has expanded and realigned. A new two-lane road link (R774) connecting Greystones to N11 has been completed. The construction of a full interchange with the N11 has also been completed.

According to the 2006 census, Greystones Ireland’s largest church attendance as a part of the population (9.77%).

Transport

Road

Greystones is accessible from the N11 Dublin-Wexford road; a new interchange (Junction 11 on the N11) constructed near the Charles Country connecting to the city via a dual carriageway.

Rail

Greystones train station, which opened October 30, 1855 [3] is the southern terminus of the DART railway, a service that connects thirty stations along the east coast of Dublin. Iarnród Éireann diesel commuter and intercity trains also serve Greystones, connecting the city with Wicklow, Arklow, Gorey, Wexford, and Ross Euro in the south, and Dublin’s Connolly Station in the north.

Bus

Grey is served by 84, 184 and 84X Dublin Bus routes, while road 702 Aircoach service begins at Charles Country connecting the area with Dublin Airport.

Walk

Bray and Grey is associated with a Cliff Walk, which follows the route of the railroad around Bray Head. The walk is 6 km long and takes about two hours.[4]

Policy

Greystones is part of South EP constituency and Wicklow Dáil constituency.In municipal Greystones has six councilors on Wicklow County Council, representing Greystones municipal district.

The following elected officials are based in and around Grey and Stone municipality:

TD

  • Stephen Donnelly, TD (Ind)
  • Simon Harris TD (FG)

County Councillors:

  • Cllr. Gráinne McLoughlin (FK, Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District)
  • Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore (Ind, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District)
  • Cllr. Tom Fortune (Ind)
  • Cllr. Nicola Lawless (SF)
  • Cllr. Derek Mitchell (FG)
  • Cllr. Gerry Walsh (FF)

Future development

Marina

This would be a € 300 million redevelopment scheme for the port, to be built by the consortium Sispar (Sispar is a joint venture consortium of Sisk and Michael Cotter park development) of a public-private partnership with Wicklow County Council. This has been and remains an important current issue in the city. Objections centered on the privatization of public beach land without broad public understanding, [5] but the work began. The development was the introduction of a new port, 341 apartments, a 230 berth marina, a new public plaza and facilities for local sports clubs. [6]

If the granting of planning permission, was 6.210 submissions received from An Bord Pleanála on the original plans, which more than 6200 were objections. [7] Many of the objections came from outside the County Wicklow, according to a spokesman for Wicklow County Council. [8] many opposed the details of the plan at the same time accept the general idea. A hearing was held and the board asked the developers to make some changes that resulted in plans scaled down by about 10%. [9] Some 3700 objections were raised on these updated planer.Den August 9, 2007, the Board approved the final plans, while imposing 13 conditions for construction works, including preservation of public access to the Cliff Walk during the development period, strict guidelines when it comes to dust control, recycling of demolition materials and restrictions on operating hours and noise levels. The Board also ruled over a former inspector’s report, rather than allow an old unlicensed landfill to remain at the new apartments. [9] [10]

In February 2010 it was announced that the development of the port would be paused indefinitely because of conditions in the Irish property market. [11]

After the development was halted loans attributable to development transferred to NAMA. Sispar insisted that it needed the support of NAMA to finish the project. [12] in September 2012 it was reported that NAMA had written off € 50 is payable for the troubled development of Greystones Harbour. It turned out that it was not Sispar consortium but Sisk alone who controlled the loans. [13]

People

Greystones and its surroundings (including Delgany) is home to several celebrities including:

  • Damien Rice; Musician
  • Andrew Hozier-Byrne; Musician
  • Éamon the Buitléar; wildlife filmmaker and naturalist.
  • Reggie Corrigan; former professional rugby player, Irish team member and former most capped Leinster player of all time.
  • Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners lived in Greystones.
  • John L. Murray, Chief Justice of Ireland 2004-2011.
  • George Hamilton; commentator for RTÉ television.
  • Frank Kelly; the actor who portrayed Father Jack in Father Ted .
  • Paul McNaughton; Former Swedish International Rugby players, as Leinster manager
  • Sean FITZPATRICK; former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank [14]
  • Stephen Donnelly; TD
  • Amy Bowtell; Irish Female professional tennis player.
  • Marten Toonder, artist, creator of Oliver B. Bumble
  • Paul Dunne (golfer)

Sports

The compound football

The city is home to a successful association football club, Grey United, [15]which is based at the Woodlands near the southern beach. GUFC is the largest school / girls soccer club in the country, and has more than 700 members. [15] Perhaps the club’s most famous alumni are current Irish international Paul McShane. Another successful club, Grey AFC, located on “The Arch Field” just beside the railway bridge in the harbor. Five of their players have represented Ireland at various levels. Ian Horan, Chris Mason and Stephen McCann has represented the Irish Between the team and Stephen Roche and Richie O’Hanlon has represented the Irish Colleges team.The Saturday and Sunday both sides play in the top division in the Leinster Senior League

Badminton

St. Kilian’s Badminton Club plays in Shoreline Leisure Center on Mill Road every Thursday. Their website can be found at St. Kilian’s Club Badminton

Baseball

Greystones is home to Greystones Mariners Baseball Club, catering to all ages. Sailors adult team competing nationally and several of the players representing Ireland at the National baseball team.

Scalar

A lawn bowling club is located on Burnaby Park.

Cricket

Cricket returned to Greystones in 2012 with the formation of Greystones Cricket, a vibrant and family-oriented club that currently practice (networks) at Greystones RFC and play their home games at Greystones United FC grounds. They have three senior men’s team and a women’s team plays in the Leinster Cricket Union competitions, a Taverners and two junior teams.

Gaelic game

Éire Og Grey GAA Club is located on Mill Road, in the southern part of the city. The club has recently undergone an extensive renovation that saw the improvements made to the clubhouse, seats, lighting and parkeringsplatser.Det is now one of the most used club facilities in the Greystones area.

Golf

There are two 18-hole golf courses and a driving range in the city. Greystones Golf Club was founded in 1895 and allows for great views of the city, the landscape, and the Irish Sea. Charles Country Golf Club is newer, flatter and located by the sea. These places can be reached by walking from the train station. There are other courses within a short driving distance (less than eight km) Delgany, Glen of the Downs, Kilcoole, Druids Glen (just outside Kilcoole), Bray and Woodbrook.

Marine

Grey has many marine-based clubs including sailing and windsurfing, fishing, diving, rowing and Sea Scouts.

Grey Rowing Club was founded in 1920 and is still ongoing today.

Shore angling for cod and plaice on the beaches and the harbor attracts many people, especially during the summer. Swimming is popular in warmer weather, especially on the south shore. The coast is also suitable for jogging and hiking.

Rugby

Main article: Grey RFC

Tennis

Grey Lawn Tennis Club is a vibrant, active club with 12 lighted outdoor courts and a large clubhouse. Located on Mill Road, on the southern part of town near the rugby and GAA clubs regularly hosts regional and national competitions, has a large number of tennis activities and coaching opportunities for children and adults and runs a number of social events during the year.

Vänorts

See also: List of twin town in Ireland

Grey has twinning agreements with:

  • Holyhead, Wales, UK. [16]

Religion

Greystones various Christian denominations in the town, with most divisions traditional Christianity represented. There is a Roman Catholic, [17]a Presbyterian, [18] an Anglican (Church of Ireland), [19] an evangelical, [20] and one Armenian Evangelical [21] church in Greystones. Carraig Eden Theological College is the main Pentecostal center for theological studies and ministerial training in Ireland, offering BTH and MTH degrees in applied theology [22] The majority of the residents are Roman Catholic, but Greystones is the city with the highest population of Protestants in Ireland with 9.77% of the population claiming to be the Church of Ireland (according to 2006 census).

Education and research

Grey has seven elementary schools:

  • St. Kevin’s National School (Catholic, former Christian Brothers)
  • St. Brigid’s National School (Roman Catholic)
  • St. Laurence National School (Roman Catholic)
  • Patrick’s National School (mostly Church of Ireland)
  • Greystones Educate Together National School (Educate Together, non-denominational)
  • Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath (inter-denominational, teaching given through the Irish language).
  • Grey Community National School (non-denominational)

The city also has a Roman Catholic high school:

  • St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School is a public, co-educational school with about 500 students.

A church in Ireland, has been co-educational secondary school opened its doors in 2014 in Greystones; Temple Carrig School. Yet it is relatively common for local young people to attend schools in neighboring towns.

It is a Spanish school, school SEK-Dublin, the Belvedere Hall in Wind Gates.

Wicklow County Council manages a Carnegie library opposite Burnaby Park on Main Street (Church Road).

Entertainment

Grey has a number of entertainment facilities; Charles Country Sports and Entertainment Park which includes a skate park, several all-weather soccer and basketball courts and a playground. [23] A large number of gigs organized by local independent youth takes place, played by mostly local bands even if the international punk and hardcore acts have played in city. The Grey Theater, suitable for drama, dance, concerts and other events, is in the center and is complemented by Greystones Studios, which offers classes, performance space, rehearsal rooms and AV studios. [24]

Film and TV

  • Ormonde cinema in Greystones, which closed in July 2007, with theFather Ted episode “The Passion of St. Tibulus “and also in an episode of Custer’s Last Standup . [25]
  • Greystones featured as a backdrop for some scenes in the popular BBC series Ballykissangel .
  • In the 1980s, many scenes from a series called “Rose of Dublin” filmed around the port area of Greystones.
  • The city generally used in the Irish program Glenroe .
  • The film Taffin starring Pierce Brosnan, was filmed in Greystones.
  • Greystones in an episode of Dream Team , a Sky One football soap series.
  • Parts of George Gently , a 2007 British detective-off of the BBC, was filmed around the harbor. Martin Shaw played in production, set in 1960s Britain (Northhumberland). Beach House pub was renamed “The Mariner Rest” for the occasion.
  • The film Yesterday’s Children , starring Jane Seymour, was filmed in Greystones.

Economy

Greystones is home to several local companies that was founded in the city and is now recognized nationally. Happy Pear organic food companies, [26] [27]headquarters in their restaurant on the High Street, Goldfish.ie [28] [29] [30]telecommunications company headquartered in Church Road; and RTÉ Dragons’ Den -winning now Smart Storage. [31] [32] Although based in Porvoo is an international bottle top manufacturer Caps United, which has six production plants and 16 sales offices across Europe http://www.unitedcaps.com /.

Gallery

  • Harbour and Little Sugar Loaf
  • Street ~~ POS = TRUNC
  • sea

See also

  • List of towns and villages in Ireland

References

  1. Jump up ^ “Greystones” the world’s most liveable society ”. ” Rte. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  2. Jump up ^ “Table 14A people in every town of 1500 inhabitants and over classified by age” (PDF). CSO. Be checked out three February 2009.
  3. Jump up ^ “Greystones and Delgany station” (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 8 September of 2007.
  4. Jump up ^ Greenwood, Margaret; Connolly, Mark; Wallis, Geoff (2003).The Rough Guide to Ireland. London: Rough Guides. p. 158. ISBN 1-84353-059-7.
  5. Jump up ^ http://www.indymedia.ie/article/86343
  6. Jump up ^ The proposed development Greystones Harbour.com.Retrieved on 23 May 2006. Archive March 22, 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. Jump up ^ Proposal to the city € 300 Marina “serious shortcomings” the Irish Independent on 28 March 2006. downloaded the 24 May 2006.
  8. Jump up ^ Grey Marine Plan generates 5,500 submissions Irish Times on 16 February 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2007.
  9. ^ Jump up to: ab € 300m Greystones development to proceed RTÉ News 9 August 2007. Retrieved August 9 in 2007.
  10. Jump up ^ Greystones development gets go-ahead the Irish Times, 9 August 2007. Retrieved August 9 in 2007.
  11. Jump up ^ Greystones development break the Irish Times, 22 February 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  12. Jump up ^ Burke, Roisin (8 April 2012). “NAMA now struggling to survive as Cotter € 1m sailing yacht”. Business. Dublin. Sunday Independent.
  13. Jump up ^ Burke, Roisin (2 September 2012). “NAMA agree to debt reduction”. Business. Dublin. Sunday Independent.
  14. Jump up ^ Heffernan, Breda (22 December 2012). “Sean Fitzpatrick was released on bail after facing new charges.” Irish Independent. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  15. ^ Jump up to: ab “Greystones United”. Grey United Football Club. Be checked out three February 2009.
  16. Jump up ^ Williams, Ffion (18 January 2012). “Holyhead to officially twinned with Irishtown Greystones on Friday.” Bangor and Anglesey Mail. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  17. Jump up ^ “Welcome”. Greystones.dublindiocese.ie. January 30, 2006. Archived from the original on 5 April 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  18. Jump up ^ “Welcome – Greystones Presbyterian Church”. Grey Presbyterian Church. Are downloaded February 2009.
  19. Jump up ^ “Church of Ireland – a province of the Anglican Communion.”Ireland.anglican.org. Be checked out three February 2009.
  20. Jump up ^ “Hillside Evangelical Church – Home.”Hillsideevangelicalchurch.ie. Be checked out three February 2009.
  21. Jump up ^ Northern European Field Manager Philip McAlister. “Ireland † Nazarene Northern Europe Field”. Naznef.org. Archived from the original February 15, 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  22. Jump up ^ “Carraig Eden Theological College”. Retrieved 31 October of 2008.
  23. Jump up ^ “Charles Country Sports and Recreational Park”. Wicklow Council. Archived from the original The 20 December 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  24. Jump up ^ “Greystones Theatre”. Greystones Theatre. Are downloaded February 2009.
  25. Jump up ^ “Custer’s Last Stand-Up TV programs – TV.com”. TV.com. Be checked out three February 2009.
  26. Jump up ^ https://thehappypear.ie/
  27. Jump up^ http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-happy-pear-when-we-started-people-looked-at-us-with-pity-1.2506772
  28. Jump up ^ http://www.goldfish.ie/
  29. Jump up^ http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/goldfish-ie-hooks-100k-per-annum-telecoms-deal-1.1349209
  30. Jump up^ http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/ringing-in-new-era-for-corporate-communications-1.956054
  31. Jump up ^ http://www.smartstorage.ie/
  32. Jump up^ http://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/co-wicklow-based-smart-storage-to-create-60-new-jobs-1.2650899