Bray Bowling Club, A History: 1965 - 2020

Bray Bowling Club, A History

The pretty seaside town of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland has many sporting tribes but none more dedicated than that of its lawn (or flat green) bowling club. Beginning as an offshoot of a local social club, it was based in a public games park, one of whose attractions was a rudimentary bowling green. Gradually the bowling club became a popular sporting outlet for the men and women of the town and grew to challenge for the country's highest honours.

Over the years the club was witness to more than its fair share of colourful characters, one of whom showed a knack for irritating his singles opponents enough to put them off their game had they been foolish enough to take the lead! Then there were the bowling trips to Northern Ireland during The Troubles which showed the southerners just how different life was on the other side of the border.

As with any other large sports club, Bray has produced its share of stars: Phyllis Brett won half a century of caps for her country; Wally Doyle, after winning the Winter Champion-of-Champions three times in a row, barred himself from entering it again to give others a chance; and Blair Somers showed all that a talented player who starts young can achieve in the game.

The biggest change at the club this century was the move from a grass surface to an artificial one in 2014. Members could now bowl all year round, not just in Summer.

To add context, the story is sprinkled with snippets of local and national history - the name of a certain female Bray boxer comes up more than once! There is also much to be said about the wider bowling community of the country.

All profits from this book go to Bray Bowling Club.