International Hotel Bray

Staplor

Does anyone know if the International Hotel is still there or has it been replaced with something else? If so what?

Thanks.

Alun

It was destroyed by fire in 1974. There's a bowling alley there now.

Calibos

Staplor wrote: »

Does anyone know if the International Hotel is still there or has it been replaced with something else? If so what?

Thanks.

You haven't been in Bray for a while have you?

Staplor

Calibos wrote: »

Staplor wrote: »

Does anyone know if the International Hotel is still there or has it been replaced with something else? If so what?

Thanks.

You haven't been in Bray for a while have you?

Nope, it was an old man who asked me to find out. He went on his honeymoon there. Don't know how to tell him, he'll be gutted

pixbyjohn

Look here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/88051129@N00/3356214417/

Judgement Day

It was a military hospital during World War .I. and although not a strikingly beautiful building it was miles better than its replacement. When it burnt the fire service had all sorts of problems - ladders too short, mains water pressure collapsed, hoses laid down to the sea and then the tide went out too far for the hoses....:D

foxy06

wow that building was actually pretty beautiful. Such a shame. If it was still there now though would it have survived the recession? That building and the dawsons building and the cash and carry are eyesores. Suppose at least the bowling alley is still open though.

Calibos

Staplor wrote: »

Nope, it was an old man who asked me to find out. He went on his honeymoon there. Don't know how to tell him, he'll be gutted

Pun Intended?:D

befriend1

Aww that is sad now, I am sure he will be heart broken.

They have some old pictures inside though of the old hotel, maybe you could bring him out and make a day of it. The beach and stuff have not changed that much and I am sure it was the town as much as the hotel which made his honeymoon.

Staplor

Are the pics in the bowling place?

Judgement Day

befriend1 wrote: »

Aww that is sad now, I am sure he will be heart broken.

They have some old pictures inside though of the old hotel, maybe you could bring him out and make a day of it. The beach and stuff have not changed that much and I am sure it was the town as much as the hotel which made his honeymoon.

You are kidding aren't you? The beach, promenade etc have changed out of all recognition (for the worse) since the days of the International Hotel.

befriend1

To say it is not even recognisable is a bit of an over statement! The bandstand, kiosks and beautiful railings are still there and of course the view of Bray head. There have been a lot of changes but the main features remain the same and in my opinion it would still be worth the trip.

There is a great Facebook page called Bray- did you know?
http://www.facebook.com/braydidyouknow It has old pictures which might be of interest.

Any yes, there are pictures of the old hotel inside the Bray Bowl.

Enjoy.......

Judgement Day

That's an excellent Facebook page with some great pics - thanks for link - but I don't retract my statement as I grew up in Bray in the 1960s/70s, and today it's not a patch on how it used to be.

insomniac86

foxy06 wrote: »

wow that building was actually pretty beautiful. Such a shame. If it was still there now though would it have survived the recession? That building and the dawsons building and the cash and carry are eyesores. Suppose at least the bowling alley is still open though.

Do you mean the cash and carry around the corner from Bray Dart Station? If so I wish someone would move into that cash and carry cause as far as I know it's been closed down for years. Ideal location for the likes of Power City or Harvey Norman to move in to.

ronaneire

Just stumbled across this thread. A few more interesting photos and information. The International Hotel was a beautiful building even more impressive in the 1800's

http://catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=%22%20Wicklow%20Bray%22&type=Subject

firlodge

I watched the International Hotel burn down.
We stood outside (amazing how they let us get so close) It was a great hotel.
I remember an old fashioned standard lamp with tassels, burning on the first floor then knocking over and burning the curtains. I have no idea about the details, and I presume the fire services did their best, but it was at the least, surreal.