Bray Airshow 2016

LordSutch

BRAY AIR SHOW 2016 . . . .



Wow, just wow, need I say more!

Should be a great couple of days, weather permitting.

jasT1981

Looking forward to it, first trip down I am hoping to do an extensive preview of the show in the upcoming weeks!!

Tenger

http://brayairdisplay.com/

Website says event starts from 12pm. Looking at details looks like flying display is 2-5pm each day (ie. heli rides are suspended between these times)

Can we assume 10-15 mins per act, with longer for the display teams?
Saturday has has 11 display acts listed, Sunday has 16. Tighter timing on the Sunday.

Sunday has Red Arrows, Swedish display team, The Blades, The Irish Parachute Club and the Aer Lingus A321 (apparently its "new")

jasT1981

Website is full of mistakes and contradictions.

Flying does start at 12, yet say Reds will open at 2pm.
The 'New' A321
The Fouga CM170 Magister which has 'never been seen it Ireland before'

That is what I remember.

I did email them about the mistakes.. Just got a generic 'check our website FAQ for answers to your question' reply.

LordSutch

Can anyone confirm that this will be the Red Arrows 1st appearance at the Bray show. I thought it was meant to be, but a few people I have spoken to have said that they made an appearance last year! can this be true?

jasT1981

It is the first time.

Last year the Patrouille Suisse Swiss display team displayed who also have red on their aircraft so the 'casual' airshow attendee may have thought that it was the Reds.

Last time the Reds were in ROI was back in the days of Baldonnel I think.

EchoIndia

jasT1981 wrote: »

Last time the Reds were in ROI was back in the days of Baldonnel I think.

They were at Dublin Airport in May 2005 to do a publicity flypast at Bray (the show there was in August that year) and then perform at Abbeyshrule.

Storm 10

EchoIndia wrote: »

They were at Dublin Airport in May 2005 to do a publicity flypast at Bray (the show there was in August that year) and then perform at Abbeyshrule.

Red Arrows displayed six times at the Salthill Air Show and displayed at Salthill for the 2009 Volvo Ocan Race

g0g

Really looking forward to this! As a Bray resident I'd recommend anyone coming to plan in advance! Sounds cliche, but defo consider public transport or else arriving very early. I've heard all sorts of M50 queue horror stories over the years! Don't stress about crowds on the beach - it's 1.5km long-ish so more than enough room, although the middle parts are fairly packed! I'd normally watch from the harbour end of the beach and there has always been loads of room! I do plan trying to watch from Bray Head someday but the kids are a bit young to bring up there. If we (fingers crossed) get a good forecast for both days I'll be very interested to see how many more come on the Sunday.

Tenger

Anyone got thoughts on the grandstand options?
€70 and €120pp options for "granstand seating"
Im not familiar with the Barracuda restaurant.

Seems steep at first but then its a free show to start so 70 overall isnt bad in total. Could be €20 pp entry in another location. Am considering it as will prob be on my own on the Sunday. (Kids and missus doing family stuff with cousins)

g0g

Tenger wrote: »

Anyone got thoughts on the grandstand options?
€70 and €120pp options for "granstand seating"
Im not familiar with the Barracuda restaurant.

Seems steep at first but then its a free show to start so 70 overall isnt bad in total. Could be €20 pp entry in another location. Am considering it as will prob be on my own on the Sunday. (Kids and missus doing family stuff with cousins)

Don't be mad, you'll be stuck in one place and there's loads of room on the beach!

LordSutch

The beach/promenade or bray head are two of the best options (free).

Pat Dunne

Tenger wrote: »

Anyone got thoughts on the grandstand options?
€70 and €120pp options for "granstand seating"
Im not familiar with the Barracuda restaurant.

Seems steep at first but then its a free show to start so 70 overall isnt bad in total. Could be €20 pp entry in another location. Am considering it as will prob be on my own on the Sunday. (Kids and missus doing family stuff with cousins)

Hmmmm........sounds interesting!

Stovepipe

GoG is right. Bray is under pressure on a good Sunday, not to mind an airshow. Harbour end is good, too.

userduluth

I am planning to go to this with my kids any suggestions as to when to start if I am travelling from Blanchardstown.

Also there is an option to book advance parking is that any use for me to book.

MuffinsDa

userduluth wrote: »

I am planning to go to this with my kids any suggestions as to when to start if I am travelling from Blanchardstown.

Also there is an option to book advance parking is that any use for me to book.

Whatever you do, do not drive to bray. Absolutely no point. Park somewhere along the dart line and take the dart in.

Tenger

Hope EchoIndia doesnt mind me posting a link to one of his photo from last years show:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24101413@N03/19651116549/in/album-72157656068128952/

syklops wrote: »

Seriously out of date Wordpress install. That site is asking to be hacked.

Keep in mind that the show is mostly run by a small team of volunteers who rely on sponsorship. Its a free show so funds for website would be very limited.

GBX

I'll be on my motorbike .. will try get up Bray Head early enough.

syklops

Seriously out of date Wordpress install. That site is asking to be hacked.

Can't wait for this. Has it really been a year since the last one?

_Tombstone_

MuffinsDa wrote: »

Whatever you do, do not drive to bray. Absolutely no point. Park somewhere along the dart line and take the dart in.

Every show has someone say this and in my exp it's always been rubbish.

Portrush last year had the same chat and yet you could rock up an hour before start and park 50ft from the beach

I've never been to Bray, from someone thats been, is it actually mental and why?

_Tombstone_

userduluth wrote: »

Also there is an option to book advance parking is that any use for me to book.

Free to book so do it, I don't know what addition it'll be though.

syklops

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

Every show has someone say this and in my exp it's always been rubbish.

Portrush last year had the same chat and yet you could rock up an hour before start and park 50ft from the beach

I've never been to Bray, from someone thats been, is it actually mental and why?

Yes Bray is mental. If you are driving, get there early, but getting the dart would be a wiser idea.

5rtytry56

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

I've never been to Bray, from someone thats been, is it actually mental and why?

Traffic wise for a long long time now. Use the DART train as other posters have suggested or Dublin Bus 145 from city.

Tenger

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

Every show has someone say this and in my exp it's always been rubbish...............
I've never been to Bray, from someone thats been, is it actually mental and why?

I appreciate your experience re Portrush but dissing a comment about then Bray then asking about Bray seems odd.

Bray is bad enough on a normal weekend. Ive only been to the Airshow twice, both times we used DART, based on our normal experience of Bray. But we wouldnt be hugely familiar with Bray to be honest, so our experience could be due to that. Locals may be better.

Negative_G

Tenger wrote: »

Hope EchoIndia doesnt mind me posting a link to one of his photo from last years show:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24101413@N03/19651116549/in/album-72157656068128952/

Keep in mind that the show is mostly run by a small team of volunteers who rely on sponsorship. Its a free show so funds for website would be very limited.

As an aside, there was another user here that made a claim some time ago that there was a group of 'volunteers' who were allegedly making great progress with the DOD about bringing an air show back to Baldonnel. I haven't heard any hint of truth in this.

I assume most of the acts will be based out of Baldonnel, Weston and Newcastle?

martinsvi

I once went there by car, basically the "parking lot" type of jam begins on M11 just after merging with M50, about an hour later I got as far as exit 5, dumped the car at some parking lot and continued on foot, it was another 30 minute walk till I got to the beach. I feel sorry for people who's daily commute is affected by this. This year it just so happens that I plan to go there again, but this time I plan to avoid M50/M11 and go over the mountains, arrive at Greystones and take a dart in.. anyone have any experience with Greystones, is the town packed during the show as well?

5rtytry56

martinsvi wrote: »

I once went there by car, basically the "parking lot" type of jam begins on M11 just after merging with M50, about an hour later I got as far as exit 5, dumped the car at some parking lot and continued on foot, it was another 30 minute walk till I got to the beach. I feel sorry for people who's daily commute is affected by this. This year it just so happens that I plan to go there again, but this time I plan to avoid M50/M11 and go over the mountains, arrive at Greystones and take a dart in.. anyone have any experience with Greystones, is the town packed during the show as well?

I haven't gone through greystones to go to the Bray airshow but I did go there as the town is the southerly most DART endpoint. So....car drivers living further south from Greystones will naturally use greystones to park the car...and then bring the rugrats etc. the rest of the way to Bray on the DART.

martinsvi

right, I just checked, it looks like DART is only going once an hour at weekends from Greystones, so probably not a good idea.. the service from Dublin is much more frequent, so it will have to be that then

Storm 10

martinsvi wrote: »

right, I just checked, it looks like DART is only going once an hour at weekends from Greystones, so probably not a good idea.. the service from Dublin is much more frequent, so it will have to be that then

Think you will find there is extra Dart services for the show

g0g

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

Every show has someone say this and in my exp it's always been rubbish.

Portrush last year had the same chat and yet you could rock up an hour before start and park 50ft from the beach

I've never been to Bray, from someone thats been, is it actually mental and why?

I live in Bray and can vouch for the traffic situation. On a bad evening in the winter or bank holiday weekend you can have a queue to beyond Bray starting from before the Carrickmines exit, and that's with no events on! The Air Show attracts hundreds of cars, many of whom also aren't familiar with finding their way around Bray, plus many roads near the seafront are closed off. I know relatives from Lucan took 1.5-2.0 hours to make that normally 25-30 minute journey last year. I think if you came out really early and made a day of it you might be alright, but better just public transport. And you definitely won't be getting parked within 50ft of the beach!

Alun

Tenger wrote: »

Keep in mind that the show is mostly run by a small team of volunteers who rely on sponsorship. Its a free show so funds for website would be very limited.

Wordpress is free.

Tenger

Alun wrote: »

Wordpress is free.

My point being that the team doing the website may not be the most skilled. They could be volunteers using free software.

martinsvi

Storm 10 wrote: »

Think you will find there is extra Dart services for the show

I checked the timetable (on Irish Rail site) for the dates, didn't see any extra services

Tenger

Thinking about it I am going to get myself to Bray early on (DART) with a backpack of supplies and make my way up to Bray Head (weather permitting) I can get a decent view and maybe some nice photos (up to 210mm lens)
No kids or wife in tow so the slog up the track and lack of amenities up there wont be an issue. After the show I can descend and have a few beers in the town and let the scrum for the DART die down before getting one back into the city.
Lets see how that plan survives the next 12 days.......

EchoIndia

The DART works well for getting away from the show as they load up at Bray and extra services are laid on.

syklops

Tenger wrote: »

Thinking about it I am going to get myself to Bray early on (DART) with a backpack of supplies and make my way up to Bray Head (weather permitting) I can get a decent view and maybe some nice photos (up to 210mm lens)
No kids or wife in tow so the slog up the track and lack of amenities up there wont be an issue. After the show I can descend and have a few beers in the town and let the scrum for the DART die down before getting one back into the city.
Lets see how that plan survives the next 12 days.......

Last year we "camped" out on Killiney hill. Brought some beer and coffee for herself. Thats the way to do it IMO.

Wally Runs

Bray resident here with young family:

The show is set up to been seen from the seafront, but it will be mad busy as you might expect. An alternative location is to right down the end of the sea front and at the base of Bray Head, you will find a car park (ice cream van usually). Where the chair lift used to be (ask your Dad!).

Here you will find fewer crowds but the angles might not be great for some of the displays.Of course there is always the top of the head but it is a tough hike with young kids.

Now, you will be able to park in the car park below Bray Head but you will need to get there very early as they will close off the roads, even to residents sometimes! I know!

My advice, arrive early, bring a picnic, small BBQ, take the Dart, go to the end of the prom (below the head) and enjoy. Or have someone go very early in the car with all the kit, some newspapers and park it up wait. Let the others arrive by train.

There is usually a practice session the day before and you can have that all to yourself if you have a very young kids!

jasT1981

Wordpress is free.. at the VERY basic level, but the interface can be a nightmare at times. I use it for Northern Ireland & Ireland airshows/AirshowsNI. It is actually quite limited also in what it can do.

using wordpress is free. But don't forget there are paid addon's like a domain name and domain mapping which comes out around £15 each. If you have already got a domain name bought and isn't with wordpress, you have to pay them to map the domain to wordpress to the site also.

There is also then the themes which cost money. Some of which go over £100.

You then have to pay for extra bandwith. The 'free' version has limited bandwith for image uploads and everything.

So a 'free' wordpress site can very quickly start costing money.

Though some of the actual factual mistakes on the website are easily fixable.

As for the actual show, I have my viewing area down to two places. Either up to the harbour or Raheen Park

xper

5rtytry56 wrote: »

Traffic wise for a long long time now. Use the DART train as other posters have suggested or Dublin Bus 145 from city.

Use the DART if you can - it delivers you to right to the seafront. If you are on the southside and you leave it late, don't be surprised if the first train along is jam-packed and you have to skip it but, as I found out last year they do start empty trains in service at stations along the line so everyone can get on eventually.

If you must get a bus, go early. All buses coming into Bray get snarled up in the traffic coming off the M50/M11 at the north end of the town. If you do find yourself on a bus in this situation, get off and walk as soon as you see the "Welcome to Bray" signs unless you have young kids with you - its a mile to the beach from there but it is quicker walking than crawling through the traffic (I speak from experience of missing the opening act in previous years).

martinsvi wrote: »

I checked the timetable (on Irish Rail site) for the dates, didn't see any extra services

martinsvi wrote: »

right, I just checked, it looks like DART is only going once an hour at weekends from Greystones, so probably not a good idea.. the service from Dublin is much more frequent, so it will have to be that then

Storm 10 wrote: »

Think you will find there is extra Dart services for the show

Ha, ha, ha - Irish Rail updating their online timetable for a major public event, that'll be the day! Nonetheless, they do put on extra trains before and after the show amounting to something more like weekday rush hour than a normal Sunday timetable. They also have staff on hand at Bray to marshall the crowds.
That said, I am not sure what the demand vs service is like on the Bray-Greystones line. There is a limit to what extra services they can put on there due to the single rail track - I think every 30 mins is the best that can be achieved.

Also bear in mind that if you are planning to get a bus to your nearest DART station in Dublin, these will be in high demand too and there doesn't seem to be extra services put on. For last year's show, I found myself on a 75 heading to Dun Laoghaire that ended up full and leaving people behind at stops as well as running very late.

So maybe drive to the DART if possible and/or leave early and go for lunch, a pint, a walk, mass or whatever when you get to Bray.


Did I mention leave home early? Leave home early.

syklops wrote: »

Last year we "camped" out on Killiney hill. Brought some beer and coffee for herself. Thats the way to do it IMO.

Maybe you had a lovely time but I feel compelled to point out to those unfamiliar with the area that that's 4.5 miles away from the centre point of the display. Personally, I would pick a spot in the same county.

_Tombstone_

xper wrote: »

.

Wheres good place to park a car?

DOCARCH

xper wrote: »

Personally, I would pick a spot in the same county.

Agreed.

Last year we (my family) traveled by DART and my young guy felt sick (due to DART being packed) so we ended up having to get off at Killiney. We headed down to Killiney beach, as no cahnce of getting back on the DART, to view the show. Really was not up to much at that distance.

LordSutch

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

Wheres good place to park a car?

Park at (or near) the 'Wilton Hotel' on the Southern Cross road, then cross the road at the roundabout and climb up Bray head to view the show! Enjoy ...

martinsvi

if there's such a pressure on DART, I imagine all the park and ride car parks are jammed full then? Any experiences on those? Like where's the best place to park up to access DART?

Pat Dunne

martinsvi wrote: »

if there's such a pressure on DART, I imagine all the park and ride car parks are jammed full then? Any experiences on those? Like where's the best place to park up to access DART?

Where are you travalling from?

Accessing the DART south of the city centre after Westland Row (Pearse) could be extremely tricky with conjestion.

However, a lot will depend on the weather, a fine day and it will be rammed!

martinsvi

Pat Dunne wrote: »

Where are you travalling from?

Accessing the DART south of the city centre after Westland Row (Pearse) could be extremely tricky with conjestion.

However, a lot will depend on the weather, a fine day and it will be rammed!

doesn't matter, I can drive up to any station, they would be equally far from me

Pat Dunne

martinsvi wrote: »

doesn't matter, I can drive up to any station, they would be equally far from me

You have a number of options. If you are coming from outside Dublin from the midlands and west, just stop and park at Maynooth, Leixlip, Clonsilla or Coolmine and get the Maynooth line into Connolly and connect with the DART there, you probally won't even have to change platform. If you're coming from a northern direction you have a number of parking choices Sutton, Clongriffin, Killester, Clontarf and including Connolly. Starting from Connolly, Tara St* and Pearse*, expect congestion to noticeably increase.
Might sound obvious but bring change for the parking ticket machine, don't chance not paying as you will be clamped, yes even on a Saturday or Sunday

*No Park n'Ride facilities.

vicwatson

How is safe free car parking close to the DART looking in Greystones for the Sun 24th?

tricky D

syklops wrote: »

Last year we "camped" out on Killiney hill. Brought some beer and coffee for herself. Thats the way to do it IMO.

What was that like? Crowded? Binos needed? Good vantage point? etc?

Thinking of heading there to avoid Bray but at 8kms it might be a bit far. Cheers

recyclops

martinsvi wrote: »

I once went there by car, basically the "parking lot" type of jam begins on M11 just after merging with M50, about an hour later I got as far as exit 5, dumped the car at some parking lot and continued on foot, it was another 30 minute walk till I got to the beach. I feel sorry for people who's daily commute is affected by this. This year it just so happens that I plan to go there again, but this time I plan to avoid M50/M11 and go over the mountains, arrive at Greystones and take a dart in.. anyone have any experience with Greystones, is the town packed during the show as well?

I am a greystones resident myself and get the dart from there every year, it does be busy and the biggest issue is people queueing for tickets really, if you have a leap card or prepay greystones is the best bet you just stroll in and hop on the dart.

this year if weather is good i plan on doing cliff walk to coincide with airshow

Aerohead

I'm staying in the Wilton for the weekend travelling from the West, my plan is to tour around Wicklow on the Saturday and take in the show on Sunday, is it a long walk to the promenade from the hotel or I see a bus stop outside the hotel, also coming in the M50 and onto the M11 hoping to continue past Bray to tour around ,any help appreciated.

Lockheed

It looks like I'll have to take the bus and the train to get to the airshow this year, if I take the 111 bus from Trim what bus stop should i change for the DART at / what bus stop is closest to a DART station?