Welcome to Bray Talking Heads – Stories from a Seaside Town
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.

Hosted by Mark Quinn, Leah Kinsella, and Pat Hannon, Bray Talking Heads continues the spirit of local storytelling, following in the footsteps of BLB (Bray Local Broadcasting), the beloved community radio station.

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design https://jodyhogg.com

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky @braytalkingheads, or email 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. 

About the Show

Welcome to Bray Talking Heads! In our first episode we find out about the origins of the mile-long prom, we head to the Cliff Walk to meet the Friends of the Cliff Walk about their campaign to get it reopened, fast; and we ask newcomers to the town 'what's best about 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.  

Tell a friend, let them know!

Artwork by Jody Hogg Design https://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 1. Promenade, Cliff Walk & Opinions on Bray

Coming up in Episode 3: Elvis. Traffic. Australia. Fortune Teller. Nice Girls From Dublin. Bray Head Chair Lift. Mermaid.

Episode 3 PROMO

In the third episode of this series Mark Quinn continues his journey through the history of Bray Local Broadcasting. As the 1980’s progressed BLB experienced significant growth and development, establishing itself as a potent presence in North Wicklow and South County Dublin. The station's programming expanded dramatically, offering a diverse range of shows that catered to various interests and communities. This growth was matched by an upgrade in its technical capabilities, with the installation of a more powerful transmitter, which greatly improved the signal strength and expanded BLB's reach. As a result, more voices from the local community were able to be heard, and BLB’s unique version of community radio flourished. The station became a vital platform for local expression, creativity, and connection, embodying the true spirit of community-driven broadcasting.

Credits: 

Sound recording by Mike Quinn 

Sound mixing by Luke Conlon 

High Wire Post Production, Dublin, Ireland 

www.highwire.ie  



Artwork by Jody Hogg Design 

www.jodyhogg.com  



Produced and presented by Mark Quinn 



The copyright for this podcast series is owned by Mark Quinn and is hereby reserved.

Episode 3. Voices of Bray

As traffic clogs the town’s roads, we take a nostalgic detour with Brendan Coleman to revisit the iconic Bray Head Chair Lift, plus from our voxpops from the past, who remembers Madam Lee and Dawsons? We also travel across the globe to Alice Springs, Australia for our Home Thoughts from Abroad segment. Plus we catch up with Aoife Demel, CEO of The Mermaid Arts Centre, for an inspiring chat about arts, community, and the rise of storytelling.

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.comListen 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 3. Gridlocked, Bray Head Chair Lift, Home Thoughts & Madam Lee

Aoife Demel, CEO of Mermaid Arts Centre on growing up in Bray, marketing over the years, engaging with artists and schools, and promoting arts across the county.

Aoife Demel, CEO Mermaid Arts Centre Bray

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

When was the iconic cross on Bray Head built - and who was behind it? Local historian Brian White has the answers.

At the Bray Rowing Club, sea spray has taken its toll. With the concrete roof collapsing, the club now faces a tough decision: rebuild or relocate. Meanwhile, their prized racing boats sit exposed to the elements. Leah visits the club to hear more from John Curran and Tony Dutton.

And as the war in Ukraine continues, nearly a thousand Ukrainians have found refuge in Bray. Mark sits down with Ivanna to learn about her journey and what life is like now.

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 5. The Cross, Save Our Rowing Club and from Ukraine to Bray

Ivanna’s Story: From War to Welcome
In this moving extended interview, Ivanna shares her journey of fleeing war-torn Ukraine and the emotional toll of leaving home behind. She reflects on her first impressions of Bray - from the peaceful streets to the wonder of seeing a robin for the first time. With heartfelt gratitude, she speaks about the warm welcome and compassion she received from the people of Bray. Ivanna also opens up about the hidden pain many Ukrainians carry, describing how they continue to smile for the world, even as their hearts remain broken inside.

Ivanna from Ukraine on having to flee from war

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

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

Mark Quinn is an award winning audio creator with a background in radio and TV production who is committed to developing and delivering audio stories that stimulate and entertain.
@radiogenicproductions
radiogenicproductions@gmail.com

When The Busby Babes Played Bray

Radiogenic Productions

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