Iconic Bray Sea Life to close by the end of 2023 after 25 years

First opened in 1998, the seafront attraction became a pillar for school and summer trips for children from Dublin, Wicklow, and all of Leinster

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Alex DunneContent Editor

15:06, 29 OCT 2023

Sea Life Bray Aquarium (Image: Facebook: Sea Life Bray Aquarium)

The iconic Bray Sea Life aquarium is to close permanently by the end of 2023 after over 25 years in operation.

First opened in 1998, the seafront attraction became a pillar for school and summer trips for children from Dublin, Wicklow, and all of Leinster. But owners Merlin Entertainment - who operate a number of attractions across Ireland and the UK - are pulling out of the Wicklow town, with doors to permanently shut before the year is out.

A spokesperson told Dublin Live: “After careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to close this attraction. The priority now is to support our team members with advice on career opportunities at other attractions across the group, and find suitable homes for the animals we currently house, utilising the rest of our SEA LIFE global and European network.

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"As the world’s leading aquarium chain, the SEA LIFE brand maintains a strong presence across the UK and Europe as part of a network of more than 50 aquariums across the globe."

The aquarium is one of just four public aquariums in the country - with the other three in Dingle, Co Kerry, Achill, Co Mayo, and Galway city.

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