Brittas Bay facts for kids
Brittas Bay (which is Cuan an Bhriotáis in Irish) is a lovely beach in County Wicklow, Ireland. It stretches for about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) along the Irish Sea coast. This popular spot is located about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of the town of Wicklow. Many people from Dublin love to visit Brittas Bay, especially during the summer months. It's one of the most popular beaches for city residents looking for a fun day out!
Contents
Exploring Brittas Bay's Location
Brittas Bay is a long beach, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length. You can reach it easily from the R750 regional road. This road runs right next to the beach. Between the road and the sand, you'll find large areas of sand dunes. These dunes are important for nature.
The beach is located about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Wicklow town by road. It's also about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of the center of Dublin city. Brittas Bay is part of a local area called Dunganstown. It's in the barony of Arklow, which is on the southern coast of County Wicklow.
A Glimpse into Brittas Bay's Past
Brittas Bay has an interesting history, reaching back many centuries.
Early Christian Times
Long ago, even before Saint Patrick came to Ireland, there was a Christian settlement nearby. This settlement was in a place called Three-Mile-Water. A Roman church leader named Palladius was in charge there. He was sent to Ireland in 431 AD. Two monks, Sylvester and Solinus, helped him. Later, another holy person, Saint Baoithin, led a monastery in the area. One of his students was Saint Kevin, who went on to start the famous Christian settlement in Glendalough.
Pirates and Smugglers
In the 1600s, a famous smuggler and pirate named Captain Jack White operated from Brittas Bay. He used a hidden cove called Jack's Hole. From here, he would stop British merchant ships. He also brought goods from France without paying taxes. This made the government very unhappy because they lost money from customs.
Places to See Near Brittas Bay
There are several interesting spots and places to stay around Brittas Bay.
Caravan Parks
If you're looking for a place to stay, you'll find several caravan parks nearby. These include Staunton's Caravan Site, O'Drischoll's Caravan Park, and Brittas Bay Park. They are popular places for families to set up camp.
Golf and Castles
To the south of Brittas Bay, near a small village called Ardanary, you'll find The European Club golf course. It's a well-known place for golfers. Also, to the northeast of Brittas Bay, you can find Dunganstown Castle. It's an old castle with a long history.
