10 May 2011

Strolling along the shore as the last lights fade

The shoreline beneath the Beach House in Bray, Co Wicklow, this evening (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

Patrick Comerford

It was a long working day today – a faculty meeting that began early in the morning and that continued until late in the afternoon.

The weather was mixed – heavy rain at times in the morning and the afternoon; but bright breaks of sunshine in between – two seasons in one day.

This evening, four of us went to Bray, Co Wicklow, for dinner in the Beach House on Strand Road. This restaurant that is challenged for its setting and view only by Relish in Bettystown, Co Meath, and the owners have an eye for interior decor that brings the promises and delights of summer to heart.

Looking out at the Irish Sea from a table by the window in the Beach House in Bray (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)


The floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terrace area have stunning views of Bray Head to the south and across the Irish Sea in all weathers. This evening, we had a window table looking out onto the Promenade and sea. The crew of one rowing boat spent an hour rowing in parallel with the shoreline, and as darkness began to fall, we could see the lights of the ferries leaving Dun Laoghaire and Dublin.

I fail to understand how people can walk this promenade with headsets on, oblivious to the beauty of the sound of the sea rolling into the pebbly shore. After dinner, in the last glimmering light of this Tuesday faded, two of us started to stroll south along the Promenade.

But the rain came down once again, and put a stop to our beach walk this evening. Oh, how I am looking forward to the summer.