New Clubhouse for Bray Wheelers

The club actually took possession of this new premises off the Boghall Road earlier this year. The internal floor area of the new clubhouse is 190 square metres, containing a multi purpose room (95 square metres), entrance hall, kitchen, plant room, male & female toilets, changing area along with showers, and a separate toilet facilities for disabled, with a fire & security alarm system installed.

There is a security fence around entire perimeter of the clubhouse, and an existing public car park adjacent with about 40 spaces. This superb facility is sure to benefit all members of the club for many years to come.

A Brief History of Bray Wheelers:

Joe Loughman and friends founded Bray Wheelers Cycling Club in 1949. In the early years touring was the main stay of cycling activities.

The 1950s saw the formation of a racing section and in this decade club racing was held every Thursday evening during the summer months. The club had its first open win in 1955 and our first rider in the Tour of Ireland in 1956. The club's first foray abroad was to send a team to the Isle of Man Cycle Week in 1958. The club had two international selections in 1959. During this period the club operated out of a clubhouse in Blackbyrne's field - which is now under the roundabout on the Dargle Road.

The 1960s was a vintage decade for the club, with Olympic representation in Rome (1960) and Mexico (1968), individual and team wins in the National Road Championship, a win in the Route de France, Essor Breton (Brittany, France), the National Time Trial Championship at 100, 50 & 25 miles, including new records; Tour of Ireland wins; plus many other fine performances too numerous to mention here.

In this decade the clubhouse in Blackbyrne's field had to be vacated, with Joe Loughman's determination and foresight, a vacated lot was located on the Upper Dargle Road. The club's second clubhouse was erected there, financed through vigorous fundraising by all members.

The 1970s continued with wins in the Tour of Ireland, plus team and king of the hills awards, the Tour of the North, the National Road Championships, the Dan Lennon Memorial Road Race, the National 25 Mile Time Championship and individual overall win in the 1974 Ras Tailteann; along with representation in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The 1980s saw the advent of the Nissan International Classic, and in the years between 1985 and 1992, Bray Wheelers were heavily involved in the running of the event. The Club also ran a successful series of races, sponsored by Guinness Ireland.

The 1990s began with a triumphant episode among junior ranks in the club, including Junior Tour of Ireland wins, National Championships and international selections. About this time, talk of new clubhouse premises began among club members and Bray Town Council. Pat Ryan got the ball rolling initially, however when Brendan O'Leary resurrected the idea a couple of years later, momentum took over. Help for this endeavor was found in abundance from various committee members, club members and trustees in the following years.

Successes on the bike continued throughout this decade, among them a stage win and climbers jersey in the Ras, a Tour of Ulster victory, and more National Championship successes on road and track.

Soon after the new millennium commenced, the club stepped forward to promote the Shay Elliott Memorial as a UCI ranked race; confirming it as one of the biggest one-day cycle races in Ireland.

Once again in the past few years, the club has been to the forefront on the national scene, including National Championships at many levels, Olympic representation, an overall Gorey 3 day win, and even a win in the club's own promotion last year - the Christy McManus Memorial.