Join us as Anne Mooney shares fond memories of her dad Pat, who once ran the beloved putting green and deckchair rentals on Bray seafront. We rewind to the golden days of BLB Community Radio in the late '70s and '80s, unearthing old ads from local shops that have since disappeared but are far from forgotten. Plus, we take to the Main Street to ask—where would you bring a first date in Bray?
It’s nostalgia, local stories and of course, a bit of conversation.

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. Tell a friend, let them know about our podcast! Longer versions of some of the interviews are on our Soundcloud channel. https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads 

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com 

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 
Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. 

The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.

Ep 4. Golf on the Seafront, old radio ads and First Dates

This episode of Bray Talking Heads is full of nostalgia! We dive into the archives with a charming playback of old interviews recorded by BLB’s Uncle Bob, featuring children from the Holy Communion class at Ravenswell School. Can you recognise any of those young voices?

Remember when Bray had several TV rental shops? Back when a television cost nearly a month's wages, renting was the norm. Malcolm Hill, a former repair engineer, takes us back to those black-and-white days.

And finally, can you remember the first record you ever bought? We take a musical trip down memory lane.

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history, and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. Tell a friend, let them know about our podcast! Longer versions of some of the interviews are on our Soundcloud channel. @braytalkingheads Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.

Ep 6. Nostalgia, TV Rentals and 'Rabbits Ears',  School Kids from the 80s & First Records

The People's Park - a short history with Brian White of Bray Cualann Historical Society.

We remember a much-loved Bray character who sold newspapers seven days a week in all weathers. Do you recall what he used to shout outside the Royal Cinema and the Holy Redeemer Church? We take a stroll through the People’s Park, a green haven gifted to the town, and hear from Brian White about its rich history, along with voices from the community on why it remains such a special place. Could residents of the Lower Dargle benefit from a local drop-in centre to help combat social isolation? We explore the idea. Finally, we dip back into Freddie’s tapes for more heartwarming snippets from the young voices of Bray’s past.

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. 

Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. Please tell a friend, let them know about our podcast! Longer versions of some of the interviews are on our Soundcloud channel. https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads/sets

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.

Ep 7.  The People’s Park – A Green Oasis, Skipping Rhymes and Chicken’s Call!

What makes for a long, happy retirement? We hit the streets of Bray to gather tips and reflections from those living it. Leah shares a chilling story of hearing a banshee - and of the friendly ghost she may be sharing her home with! We also stop by the Signal Arts Centre, a vital hub for creativity and community in Bray and Wicklow, offering space and support to emerging artists. And we share the last heartwarming clips from Uncle Bob’s archive - can you recognise the innocent voices of Ravenswell’s seven-year-olds?

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history, and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. 

Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. Please tell a friend, let them know about our podcast! Longer versions of some of the interviews are on our Soundcloud channel. https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads/sets

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.




Ep 8. Things That Go Bump in the Night, Retirement Wisdom, and Art for Art’s Sake.

In this extended interview, Leah sits down with Eleanor Philips, the CEO and Creative Director of Signal Arts Centre. Founded back in July 1990, Signal was created to fill a real gap — there just wasn’t a central hub for visual arts in Bray or across North Wicklow. Since then, it’s become a thriving space where artists can develop their practice while also connecting with the wider community. We’ll hear how it all started, the challenges along the way, and how Signal continues to support creativity over three decades later.

Eleanor Philips, Signal Arts Centre, Bray

This week, we uncover the story of Bray’s long-lost Turkish Baths – a fleeting glimpse of opulence on Quinsborough Road. Fast forward to today, where saunas dot the seafront, and Bray still knows how to keep things warm. Plus, we join the unveiling of a new commemorative seat with a view for Bagatelle, the band that has a strong association with Bray!

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history, and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. 

Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. Please tell a friend, let them know about our podcast! Longer versions of some of the interviews are on our Soundcloud channel. https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads/sets

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.





Ep. 9. Hot Stuff! From Turkish Baths to seaside saunas, and a seat for Bagatelle on Bray Head!

In the golden era of the 1950s, Manchester United’s legendary "Busby Babes" dazzled football fans with their youth, talent, and fearless style of play—until tragedy struck in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958, cutting short the lives and careers of many of these gifted young men.

But five years before that fateful day, the future icons of English football took to the field in a much humbler setting: the Carlisle Grounds in Bray. On Tuesday, May 19th, 1953, the Manchester United Youth Team—already showing flashes of brilliance and including the now legendary Duncan Edwards faced off against a spirited Bray Wanderers/Rathfarnham XI. The match was part of a summer tour masterminded by United manager Matt Busby, made possible through the efforts of a local football enthusiast and Bray Wanderers stalwart, Mick Donegan.

This short documentary brings that historic evening to life through the vivid memories of Bray Wanderers’ goalkeeper Shay Ryan, one of the few still able to recount the game from the pitch. Adding depth and context is the late author Colm Keane, whose insight provides a valuable historical lens. Produced and narrated by Mark Quinn, this is a rare glimpse into a forgotten chapter of football history—when the Busby Babes played Bray.

When the Busby Babes Played Bray

When Man United came to Bray, nudists went to Naylor's Cove and Liz Anne's heartfelt goodbye.

This week we head back to the 1950s when Bray Wanderers took on the mighty Manchester United. We hear from the last surviving member of that Bray team! We also dive into the swimming glory days at Naylor’s Cove, where nudists once braved the outdoor pools, and we recall the curious segregation on Bray beach marked by a flagpole and 150 yards of ‘no man’s land’. Plus, Café owner Liz Anne Molloy bids a warm farewell to the customers she’s cherished for three decades.

Longer versions of some of the interviews and features are on our Soundcloud channel. https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads/sets

When the Busby Babes Played Bray (Full 8 minute doc). https://soundcloud.com/braytalkingheads/when-the-busby-babes-played?si=39646b374b8a46878c951df578a51ad0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history, and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. 

Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend!

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved. All rights reserved.

Ep. 10. When Man United came to Bray, nudists went to Naylor's Cove & Liz Anne's heartfelt goodbye.

In Episode 11 of Bray Talking Heads, Generation Z weighs in on what's great about Bray and what's missing, while the late Colbert Martin takes us back to the 1930s - when families left the slums of Little Bray for new beginnings in Wolfe Tone Square. We revisit the fiery Sunday night debates that once packed the International Hotel and uncover why house prices in 1950s Bray took a surprising dive. It’s Bray then and now - the voices, the stories, and the spirit that make the town tick.

Ep 11. Gen Z on Bray, 1930s memories of Wolfe Tone Square, and fiery hotel debates

In Episode 12 of Bray Talking Heads, Coffee prices hit a new high! The Blind Fiddler from Kerry who played on the Cliff Walk for 40 years. Remembering the splendour of The Bray Head Hotel and the FIVE dance halls of Bray, and the night the Big O played in Bray. 

Bray Talking Heads is hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella and Pat Hannon. A podcast celebrating the stories, history, and people of Bray, past and present. Whether you're a lifelong Brayite or just discovering this special town, join us for conversations that connect, inspire, and bring our community to life - wherever you are in the world. 

Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station. If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend!

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design jodyhogg.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or get in touch with us at braytalkingheads@gmail.com. The copyright in this podcast series is owned by Pat Hannon and Mark Quinn and all rights are hereby reserved. 


Ep 4. Golf on the Seafront, old radio ads and First Dates

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