It was a warm summer’s morning. The wooden benches, now replaced by metal seats at Bray railway station, felt cold as I waited for the DART. I glanced across the platform. Many mosaics depicting people since the opening of the Bray station in 1854 were displayed along the wall, including one of William Dargan, the railway engineer.  There were also a few present day billboards. Soon the sound of the gates closing off the road at the railway crossing signalled the train’s arrival.

I remembered the years I took this train when I worked in Dublin.  If the train was crowded, I might have to sit facing back towards Bray.  As the train leaves Bray and curves on its journey to Shankill, the distant landscape is awesome. There is a spectacular view of the coast line of Greystones. Bray Head and the Sugar Loaf stand majestic. Houses, overlooking the sea just below, curve its descent down to Bray beach and the promenade. Woodbrook Golf Club stretches out on either side of the track, its manicured greens and clubhouse welcoming early morning golfers. Green fields pass by, and the tennis courts at Shankill wait for eager players. The train comes fairly close to the cliff edge at one point before disappearing into a tunnel. When the train emerges Killiney Bay appears. Looking down onto the rocks, the sea thrashing against them, sending up white surf, we seem very close to the edge.  Sorrento Terrace overlooks the Bay. Long compared with the Bay of Naples, it is a magnificent sight on our East Coast. On a bright summers day, and looking across the sea as the sun comes up over the horizon, what a heavenly sight! The rays of the sun spread out across the water, casting silver beams in all directions. On a calm day, the water, like a mirror, reflects the rising sun, with clear blue skies above. Then on to Dalkey and its quaint village. Soon the train pulls into Dun Laoghaire, with the easy sway of boats anchored in the harbour.  Sometimes a passenger boat could be seen in the distance, looking very small, heading towards the horizon. We pass Blackrock Park, with its lake, playground and inviting grass areas, surrounded by a path. Elegant Georgian houses stand beyond. Then Booterstown, a sanctuary for visiting birds. The sea, stretching out at Sandymount beach when the tide is out looks tranquil.  At Lansdowne Road, The Aviva Stadium, completed in 2010, stands as a monument to great modern architecture. Then at Grand Canal Dock, my work day begins.

On the homeward journey it was standing room only for a while. Carriage doors open and close. People get on or off. A sudden jolt of the train sends those standing reaching for something or someone to steady them. Heads stuck in newspapers or the muffle of conversation.  Jaded passengers, waiting to reach their destination.

I couldn’t wait to get home to Bray.  The train chuggs along. Then Bray Harbour comes into view, with its boats, swans and ducks, and the blue (now white) painted Harbour Bar, the oldest pub in Bray.  I would think “that’s another day done!”  The journey, and the uplifting sights along the way, never ceased to raise my spirits and sustained me for the ten or more years I worked in Dublin. It was a time for myself and my thoughts, an oasis between work and my busy family life.

Josephine Nolan