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{{short description |Town in County Wicklow, Ireland}}
{{Other uses|Greystones (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Graystones|Gray Rocks}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Greystones
| native_name                     = {{native name|ga|Na Clocha Liatha}}
| native_name_lang                = ga
| settlement_type                 = Town
| image_skyline                   = Greystones - Aerial - 2024-09-08 13.jpg
| image_caption                   = Greystones skyline
| image_shield                    = Greystones Coat of Arms.png
| shield_size                     = 125px
| motto                           = {{lang|ga|Gníomhach idir Carraig is Cruacha}}<br /> Active between rock and mountain peaks
| pushpin_map                     = Ireland
| pushpin_label_position          = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Ireland
| coordinates                     = {{coord|53.144|-6.072|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Ireland
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Leinster]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[County Wicklow]]
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| elevation_m                     = 50
| population_total                = 22009
| population_as_of                = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="cso2022">Includes Delgany: {{cite web | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=451369eb-e2dc-4cb6-bcf8-8251eb6edef3 | title = Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Greystones–Delgany | work = Census 2022 | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]]| access-date = 17 November 2023}}</ref>
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_rank                 = 22nd
| population_blank1_title         = Ethnicity<br /><small>[[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]]</small>
| population_blank1               = {{Collapsible list
|                  title = Ethnic groups
|            frame_style = border:none; padding: 0; <!--NOTICE: This will hide the borders and make rows closer (padding)-->
|            title_style =
|             list_style = text-align:left;display:none;
|                      1 = '''95.12% White'''
|                      2 = 84.75% White Irish
|                      3 = 10.24% White Other
|                      4 = 0.13% Irish Traveller
|                      5 = &nbsp;
|                      6 =  '''1.76% Asian/Asian Irish'''
|                      7 = &nbsp;
|                      8 = '''0.32% Black/Black Irish'''
|                      9 = &nbsp;
|                     10 = '''1.42% Other'''
|                     11 = &nbsp;
|                     12 = '''1.36% Not Stated'''}}
| population_demonym              = Greystonian
| area_code_type                  = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]
| area_code                       = +353(0)1
| postal_code_type                = [[Eircode]] routing key
| postal_code                     = A63
| timezone                        = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset                      = ±0
| timezone_DST                    = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = +1
| blank_name_sec1                 = Irish Grid Reference
| blank_info_sec1                 = {{iem4ibx|O297122}}
| website                         = https://greystones.ie/
| official_name                   = 
}}

'''Greystones''' ({{Irish place name|Na Clocha Liatha}}) is a coastal town and [[seaside resort]] in [[County Wicklow]], Ireland. It lies on Ireland's east coast, {{convert|3.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]] and {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[Dublin]] city centre and has a population of 22,009, according to the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]].<ref name="cso2022"/> The town is bordered by the [[Irish Sea]] to the east, [[Bray Head]] to the north and the [[Wicklow Mountains]] to the west. It is the second largest town in County Wicklow (after [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]]).

The town was named after a half-mile or one-kilometre stretch of grey stones between two beaches on the seafront. The harbour area and [[Greystones railway station]] are at the northern and southern ends respectively. The North Beach, which begins at the harbour, is a stony beach, and some of its length is overlooked by the southern cliffs of Bray Head, which are subject to erosion. The South Beach is a broad sandy beach about one kilometre long. It is a [[Blue Flag beach]] and receives many visitors and tourists, mainly in the summer.

In 2008, Greystones was named as the world's "most liveable community" at the LivCom Awards in China.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1110/110288-greystones/ |title=Greystones: world's most liveable community |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=3 February 2009 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118124205/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1110/greystones.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The community received the same award again in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Eimear |last=Dodd |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/news/greystones-picks-up-second-international-award-for-liveable-communities-41136176.html |title=Greystones picks up second International Award for Liveable Communities |website=independent.ie |publisher=[[Wicklow People]] |date=10 December 2021 |access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref>

== History ==
Greystones is located south of the site of an ancient [[castle]] of the [[Rathdown (County Wicklow barony)|Barony of Rathdown]]. There was a hamlet which, like [[Rathdown Castle]], was known as Rathdown, and which appeared on a 1712 map. This site occupied an area now known as the Grove, north of Greystones harbour, but only the ruins of a chapel, St. Crispin's Cell, survive. Greystones is a much more recent settlement and is first mentioned in Topographia Hibernica by Wm. Wenman Seward, a 1795 publication. Here it is described as a "noted fishing place four miles beyond Bray."

[[File:A DART train in Greystones, County Wicklow - geograph.org.uk - 1811056.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]] train at [[Greystones railway station|Greystones Station]]]]
In the early 19th century, there were some families scattered around the harbour, [[Blacklion, County Wicklow|Blacklion]], [[Windgates]], [[Killincarrig]] and [[Rathdown (County Wicklow barony)|Rathdown]]. [[Delgany]] was a more substantial and longer-established village. However, Greystones was put on the map with the coming of the railway in 1855, a difficult undertaking which was performed in consultation with the engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]. The [[Greystones railway station|railway station]] was built on the line dividing the properties of two landowners: the ''La Touche'' family of Bellevue House (now in ruins, near [[Delgany]]), and the ''Hawkins-Whitshed'' family of [[Killincarrig]] House (which is now Greystones Golf Club). It provided links with Bray and Dublin and left room for development on the adjoining estates.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

[[Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed]] (better known as Lizzie Le Blond) owned the ''Hawkins-Whitshed'' estate from 1871 and she developed Ireland's first planned housing estate, an area currently known as the Burnaby. She was a mountaineer and explorer, a photographer, an author of mountaineering books, fiction, travel writing and a filmmaker. She donated, for a nominal rent, the site upon which the library in Greystones is built. Her first marriage to [[Colonel Burnaby|Frederick Gustavus Burnaby]] was short-lived and he is only known to have visited Wicklow once; However the area is still given his surname. An adjoining estate to that of Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed was owned by the La Touche Family. It was during the time William Robert La Touche owned the estate that Greystones developed rapidly. To the north of the station, Church Road, Victoria Road and Trafalgar Road were laid out, and many houses were built. In the early 20th century, the Burnabys began to expand the town on their side of the station, and the roads and houses of the Burnaby were developed and the population grew. The names of these two families are reflected on the names of several roads and housing estates in the area.

Between 1885 and 1897, the people of Greystones campaigned for a harbour to aid the fishing industry and imports such as coal. The original pier, dock, sea wall and boat slip remained pre-2009 but had endured substantial damage. In the early 20th century, the town felt the effects of coastal erosion (which is still a major problem); the loss of fields and most of the houses on the ''North Beach Road'', and the costly inland relocation of the railway have all resulted. In 1968, the old [[Kish Bank|Kish]] lighthouse foundation was added to the end of the pier.

At the end of [[World War II]], cars and petrol became widely available, allowing Greystones to gradually expand, filling in space between itself and outlying areas such as Blacklion, Killincarrig and Delgany. However, the popularity of the railway declined; its very existence being in jeopardy during the 1980s, as government cutbacks reduced the service to just a few trains per day. The 1990s brought a revival with the arrival of the electrified [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]] from Bray, and a much more frequent schedule.

{{wide image|Greystones Panorama, County Wicklow, Ireland - August 2014.jpg|700px|align-cap=center|Greystones panorama}}

== Population and development ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=September 2021}}
[[File:Greystones Harbour new developments.jpg|thumb|Greystones Harbour]]
[[File:Church Road, Greystones, 2024-03-19.jpg|thumb|Church Road, the main street of Greystones]]
Greystones has experienced a large increase in its population since the 1970s with the construction of mainly large [[housing estate]]s.{{fact|date=October 2024}} The first of these periods lasted for around a decade seeing the development of estates like Hillside, Applewood Heights, Redford Park and other smaller ones like Burnaby Park. The second boom in construction came during the [[Celtic Tiger]] period of the early 2000s which saw developments such as [[Charlesland]] (the biggest) just south of the town, which includes over 1,000 units. Following the [[2008 financial crisis]] little development took place, evident in the difference between the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]] and the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]]; an increase of only 1,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ireland/towns/wicklow/15370__greystones_delgany/|title=Greystones|publisher=City Population|access-date=26 November 2023}}</ref>{{or-inline|date=October 2024}}

As of 2018, Greystones was experiencing a housing boom. A number of large-scale developments were taking place, mainly on the western fringes of the town, in the harbour area and around Charlesland. The main schemes included Seagreen and Waverly in Blacklion, Glenheron and Archer's Wood beside [[Charlesland]] and Marina village at the harbour.<ref>{{cite web|title=New home view: Shades of Greystones | publisher=Irish Independent|url=https://www.independent.ie/life/home-garden/new-homes/new-home-view-shades-of-greystones/36848674.html|date=April 2018|access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> As of 2021, there were also multiple other similar schemes approved or pending approval.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Quinlan|first=Ronald|title=Growth of Delgany continues as more lands come for sale|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/growth-of-delgany-continues-as-more-lands-come-for-sale-1.4601257|access-date=2021-10-26|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cairn Homes sells 11.5-acre Wicklow site to Department of Education|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/cairn-homes-sells-115-acre-wicklow-site-to-department-of-education-40006675.html|access-date=2021-10-26|website=independent|date=25 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> These new developments resulted in a population increase of almost 4000 between 2016 and 2022.<ref name="cso2022"/>

As of the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]], the population of Greystones–Delgany stood at 22,009, making it the second largest town in the county after [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]].<ref name="cso2022"/> In 2016, the Greystones Municipal District Population stood at 26,323.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=MD2014&Geog_Code=CE6A0113-6EE3-44B3-8354-7877C147A647|title=Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Municipal District Greystones|publisher=CSO|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=22 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044046/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=MD2014&Geog_Code=CE6A0113-6EE3-44B3-8354-7877C147A647|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wicklow County Council and Greystones Municipal District Council plan for at least 24,000 by 2028 in the town itself.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

Along with the housing developments, road networks and facilities have been "improved" to cater for the growth. The road between Greystones and Bray has been slightly widened and realigned. A dual carriageway link road ([[R774 road|R774]]) connecting Greystones to the [[N11 road (Ireland)|N11]] has been completed to the south of the town. Construction of a full interchange with the N11 has also been completed. Chapel Road has been connected with Blacklion Manor Road forming a new section of wide higher capacity road from the junction at Lidl to the junction with the top of Applewood Heights, creating a complete bottleneck at Delgany village. Estates like Seagreen access from this road.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

== Transport ==

=== Road ===
Greystones is accessible from the [[N11 road (Ireland)|N11]] Dublin–Wexford road; via an interchange (Junction 11 on the N11) near [[Charlesland]] connects with the town via a [[dual carriageway]]. This quickly changes into the [[M11 (Ireland)|M11.]] This then joins onto the [[M50 motorway (Ireland)|M50]] (Dublin's orbital motorway) about 10&nbsp;km north. There is an interchange in Bray (J7) that has a link road to Greystones from the north

=== Rail ===
[[Greystones railway station]], which opened on 30 October 1855,<ref>{{cite web | title=Greystones and Delgany station | website=Railscot – Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=8 September 2007 | archive-date=26 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> is the southern terminus of the [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]] railway line, a service which connects thirty-one stations along Dublin's east coast. [[Iarnród Éireann]] diesel [[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]] and [[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]] trains also serve Greystones, linking the town with [[Wicklow]], [[Arklow]], [[Gorey]], [[Wexford]], and [[Rosslare Europort]] to the south, and Dublin's [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Connolly Station]] to the north.

=== Bus ===
Greystones is served by the L1, L2, L3, X1 and X2 bus routes whilst route 702 Aircoach service starting at Charlesland links the area with Dublin Airport.

=== Walking ===
Bray and Greystones are linked by a Cliff Walk, which follows the route of the railway line around [[Bray Head]]. The walk is 6&nbsp;km long and takes approximately two hours.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenwood |first1=Margaret |last2=Connolly |first2=Mark |last3=Wallis |first3=Geoff |title=The Rough Guide to Ireland |publisher=[[Rough Guides]] |year=2003 |location=London |pages=158 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLHgtXEUfXgC&pg=PA158 |isbn=1-84353-059-7 |access-date=28 October 2016 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802184612/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLHgtXEUfXgC&pg=PA158 |url-status=live }}</ref>  Note - this walk is currently (March 2025)  closed for repairs ([https://bray.ie/cliffwalk/ bray.ie])

==Administration==
Greystones is part of the [[Dáil constituency]] of [[Wicklow (Dáil constituency)|Wicklow]] and the [[European Parliament constituency]] of [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]].

In local government, the Greystones [[local electoral area]] (LEA) elects six councillors to [[Wicklow County Council]] who sit as Greystones Municipal District. This LEA also includes the neighbouring villages of [[Delgany]], [[Kilcoole]] and [[Newcastle, County Wicklow|Newcastle]] Lower.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2018|type=si|number=638|name=County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|date=19 December 2018|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531190100/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/638/made/en/print}}</ref>

In 1984, Greystones was granted [[town commissioners]].<ref>{{cite ISB|type=si|year=1983|number=162|name=Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854 (Greystones) Order 1983|date=15 June 1983}}</ref> This became a [[town council (Ireland)|town council]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2001|number=37|name=[[Local Government Act 2001]]|schedno=6|stitle=Local Government Areas (Towns)|date=21 July 2001|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref> All town councils in Ireland were abolished in 2014.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|year=2014|section=24|stitle=Dissolution of town councils and transfer date|number=1|date=27 January 2014|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

== Development ==
[[File:IMGGreystones 5053w.jpg|thumb|Main Street wirescape]]
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=== Marina ===
A €300 million redevelopment scheme for the harbour was proposed by the Sispar consortium (Sispar is a joint venture [[consortium]] of [[John Sisk & Son|Sisk]] and Michael Cotter's Park Developments) in a [[public-private partnership]] with Wicklow County Council. This development was a topical issue in the town, with objections revolving around the privatisation of public beachfront land without a broad public agreement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indymedia.ie/article/86343|title=Greystones Harbour Deception|publisher=Indymedia Ireland|date=20 February 2008|access-date=28 April 2010|archive-date=22 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122031637/http://www.indymedia.ie/article/86343|url-status=live}}</ref> The development includes a new harbour, 341 apartments, a 230 berth marina, a new public plaza and facilities for local sporting clubs.<ref>[http://www.greystonesharbour.ie/index_files/Page382.htm The proposed development] Greystones Harbour.com. Retrieved on 23 May 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322204656/http://www.greystonesharbour.ie/index_files/Page382.htm |date=22 March 2007 }}</ref>

On the granting of planning permission, 6,210 submissions were received by [[An Bord Pleanála]] on initial plans, of which more than 6,200 were objections.<ref>[http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1589554&issue_id=13862 Proposals for town's €300m marina 'have serious flaws'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018184952/http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1589554&issue_id=13862 |date=18 October 2015 }} [[Irish Independent]], 28 March 2006. Retrieved on 24 May 2006.</ref> Many of the objections came from outside [[County Wicklow]], according to a spokesman for Wicklow County Council.<ref>[http://www.wicklow.com/news/?p=49 Greystones Marina plan generates 5,500 submissions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804185809/http://www.wicklow.com/news/?p=49 |date=4 August 2007 }} [[The Irish Times]], 16 February 2006. Retrieved on 9 August 2007.</ref> Many objected to specifics of the plan while approving the general idea. An oral hearing was held and the board requested the developers to make certain changes which resulted in the plans being scaled down by approximately 10%.<ref name="RTÉ">[https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0809/92214-greystones/ €300m Greystones development to go ahead] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214214915/http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0809/greystones.html |date=14 February 2008 }} [[RTÉ News]], 9 August 2007. Retrieved on 9 August 2007.</ref> Some 3,700 objections were made on these updated plans. On 9 August 2007, the board approved the final plans, while imposing 13 conditions on construction works, including the retention of public access to the [[Cliff Walk (Wicklow)|Cliff Walk]] during the development period, strict guidelines in relation to dust suppression, the re-use of demolition materials, and limitations on the hours of operation and noise levels. The board also overruled an earlier inspector's report, instead permitting an old unlicensed landfill to remain beside the new apartments.<ref name="RTÉ" /><ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0809/breaking32.htm Greystones development gets go-ahead]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [[The Irish Times]], 9 August 2007. Retrieved on 9 August 2007.</ref>

In February 2010, it was announced that development of the marina would be paused indefinitely due to conditions in the Irish property market.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0222/1224264939272.html Greystones development paused] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022075124/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0222/1224264939272.html |date=22 October 2012 }} [[The Irish Times]],22 February 2010. Retrieved on 20 March 2010.</ref>

After the development plans stalled, the loans attached to the development were transferred to [[National Asset Management Agency|NAMA]]. Sispar insisted that it needed funding from NAMA to finish the project.<ref>{{cite news | title=NAMA firm struggles to survive as Cotter sails €1m yacht | work=Business | date=8 April 2012 | agency=Sunday Independent | author=Burke, Roisin | location=Dublin}}</ref> In September 2012 it was reported that NAMA had written off €50m owed for the troubled development of Greystones Harbour. It appeared that it was not the Sispar consortium but Sisk alone that controlled the loans.<ref>{{cite news | title=NAMA agrees to debt write-down | work=Business | date=2 September 2012 | agency=Sunday Independent | author=Burke, Roisin | location=Dublin}}</ref>

Almost all of the new harbour facilities are now in use and available to the public, while the construction of apartments is ongoing.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

== Sports ==

=== Association football ===
The town is home the association football club [[Greystones United F.C.|Greystones United]],<ref name="gufc">{{cite web |url=http://www.gufc.ie/index.php |title=Greystones United |publisher=Greystones United Football Club |access-date=3 February 2009 |archive-date=30 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030005339/http://www.gufc.ie/index.php |url-status=live }}</ref> which is based at Woodlands near the south beach. GUFC is the largest schoolboy/girl football club in the country and has in excess of 700 members.<ref name="gufc"/> Among the club's former players is retired Irish international [[Paul McShane (Irish footballer)|Paul McShane]]. Another club, Greystones AFC, is located at 'The Arch Field' beside the railway bridge at the harbour. Five of their players have represented Ireland at various levels. Ian Horan, Chris Mason and Stephen McCann represented the Irish Intermediate team and Stephen Roche and Richie O'Hanlon represented the Irish Colleges team.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

=== Gaelic games ===
[[Éire Óg Greystones GAA]] club is located on Mill Road, at the south end of the town. In the early 21st century, the club undertook development and improvement works on the clubhouse, pitches, lighting and parking facilities.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

=== Golf ===
There are two 18-hole golf courses and a driving range within the town. Greystones Golf Club, which was founded in 1895,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.greystonesgc.com/our-club/our-history/ | website = greystonesgc.com | title = Our History | accessdate = 12 October 2024 }}</ref> overlooks the town, the countryside, and the Irish Sea. Charlesland Golf Club is newer, flatter, and located by the sea. There are other courses at [[Delgany]], [[Glen of the Downs]], [[Kilcoole]], [[Druids Glen]], and [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]].{{fact|date=October 2024}}

=== Marine ===
Greystones has many marine-based clubs including sailing and wind-surfing, angling, diving, rowing and Sea Scouts. Greystones rowing club, for example, was established in 1920.

Shore angling for cod and plaice at the beaches and the harbour attracts visitors during the summer.{{fact|date=October 2024}} Swimming is also popular in warmer weather, especially on the south beach.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

=== Rugby ===
{{Main article|Greystones RFC}}
[[Greystones RFC]] is a rugby union team which participates in the [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|All-Ireland League]].

=== Tennis ===
Greystones Lawn Tennis Club has 12 outdoor floodlit courts and a clubhouse located on Mill Road at the south end of the town. It has hosted several regional and national competitions. As of 2023, 3 of the courts have been transformed to artificial clay courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://greystonesltc.ie/about-us/|title=About us|website=Greystones Lawn Tennis Club|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801080104/https://greystonesltc.ie/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other sports ===
There is a [[lawn bowling]] club located at Burnaby Park. Greystones is also home to the Greystones Mariners Baseball Club, which competes nationally and which has seen several members represent the [[Ireland national baseball team|Irish national baseball team]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Greystones Cricket (formed in 2012), practices (nets) at [[Greystones RFC]] and play their home matches at the [[Greystones United F.C.]] grounds. They have three senior men's teams and one ladies' team playing in the [[Leinster Cricket Union]] competitions, a taverners and two junior teams.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

St. Kilian's Badminton Club plays in Shoreline Leisure Centre on Mill Road.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stkiliansbadmintonclub.org/ |title=St. Kilian's Badminton Club |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118140538/https://www.stkiliansbadmintonclub.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Greystones has seen a rise in community-driven wellness activities along its coast. Sea swimming groups like “Swimrise” have become increasingly popular, promoting cold-water immersion for physical and mental wellbeing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/swimrise/|title=Swimrise|website=Outdoor Swimming Society |date=20 May 2019 }}</ref> Mobile and barrel saunas have also been launched in the area.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

== Community and wellness ==

The town is also known for its popular sunrise sea swimming community, sometimes referred to as “Swimrise,” which has been featured in national media for its wellness benefits and community spirit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/the-happy-pear-how-best-to-start-the-day-1305594|title=The Happy Pear: How best to start the day|website=Newstalk|date=12 May 2019}}</ref>

== Religion ==
[[File:Greystones Catholic Church.jpg|thumb|Holy Rosary Catholic Church]]
Greystones has a variety of Christian denominations in the locality, with most divisions of mainstream Christianity represented. There is a [[Roman Catholic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greystones.dublindiocese.ie/ |title=Welcome |publisher=Greystones.dublindiocese.ie |date=30 January 2006 |access-date=3 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405045619/http://www.greystones.dublindiocese.ie/ |archive-date=5 April 2009 }}</ref> a [[Presbyterian]],<ref>{{cite web | title =Welcome – Greystones Presbyterian Church | publisher =Greystones Presbyterian Church | url =http://www.greystonespc.org | access-date =2 February 2009 | archive-date =13 March 2012 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120313190227/http://www.greystonespc.org/ | url-status =live }}</ref> a [[Church of Ireland]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ireland.anglican.org/dioceses/directory/parishdetails.asp?UtdDiocID=8&UnionGrpID=607 |title=Church of Ireland – A province of the Anglican Communion |publisher=Ireland.anglican.org |access-date=3 February 2009 |archive-date=15 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215055528/http://ireland.anglican.org/dioceses/directory/parishdetails.asp?UtdDiocID=8&UnionGrpID=607 |url-status=live }}</ref> an [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hillsideevangelicalchurch.ie/ |title=Hillside Evangelical Church – Home |publisher=Hillsideevangelicalchurch.ie |access-date=3 February 2009 |archive-date=18 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118174154/http://www.hillsideevangelicalchurch.ie/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and an Evangelical [[Arminianism|Arminian]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Northern Europe Field Director Philip McAlister |url=http://www.naznef.org/districts/districtdetail.asp?District=Ireland |title=Ireland † Nazarene Northern Europe Field |publisher=Naznef.org |access-date=3 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215060851/http://www.naznef.org/districts/districtdetail.asp?District=Ireland |archive-date=15 February 2008 }}</ref> church in Greystones. Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, members of the [[Orthodox Church of Ukraine|Ukrainian Orthodox]] community have moved to the area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conneely |first=Ailbhe |date=2022-03-21 |title=Charity houses over 20 Ukraine families in Greystones |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2022/0321/1287663-ukraine-refugees-greystones/ |language=en | website = rte.ie }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-01 |title=Ukrainians told 'Greystones is your home for as long as you want it to be' as they celebrate Constitution Day |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/ukrainians-told-greystones-is-your-home-for-as-long-as-you-want-it-to-be-as-they-celebrate-constitution-day/a1222229406.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=The Greystones Guide {{!}} New Ukrainian Centre At Carmelite Convent |url=https://www.greystonesguide.ie/new-ukrainian-centre-at-carmelite-convent/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Greystones Guide |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{fv|reason=Where do any of these sources refer to religion? |date=October 2024}}

As of the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]], 56% of respondents in Greystones indicated that they were Catholic, 25% had no religion, 14% were of other religions and 5% did not state a religion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Data Visualisations {{!}} CSO Ireland |url=https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04166V04937&guid=2ae19629-3ef4-13a3-e055-000000000001&theme=1 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=visual.cso.ie}}</ref> While a majority of residents are Catholic, Greystones had (as of the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]]) the largest [[Church of Ireland]] presence as a proportion of the population (8.2%) anywhere in the country, has the largest proportion of Protestants overall (10.5%). As of 2016, it was also the least religious town in the country (with 18.3% indicating 'no religion').{{fact|date=October 2024}}

Carraig Eden Theological College is a [[Pentecostal]] centre for theological study and ministerial training in Ireland. It offers [[BTh]] and MTh degrees in Applied Theology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cetc.ie/ |title=Carraig Eden Theological College |access-date=31 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004215051/http://www.cetc.ie/ |archive-date=4 October 2008 }}</ref>

== Education and research ==
Greystones has eight primary schools, including several [[national school (Ireland)|national schools]],<ref>[http://www.stkevins.ie/ St. Kevin's National School] (Roman Catholic; formerly Christian Brothers)</ref><ref>[https://www.saintbrigidsgreystones.ie/ St. Brigid's National School] (Roman Catholic)</ref><ref>[http://www.stlaurences.ie St. Laurence's National School] (Roman Catholic)</ref><ref>[https://www.stpns.ie/ St. Patrick's National School] (predominantly [[Church of Ireland]])</ref><ref>[https://www.delganyns.ie/ Delgany National School] (predominantly [[Church of Ireland]])</ref><ref>[http://www.greystonescns.ie/ Greystones Community National School] (non-denominational)</ref> an [[Educate Together]] primary school,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.greystoneset.ie/|title=Greystones Educate Together NS|first=Greystones Educate|last=Together|website=Greystones Educate Together NS}}</ref> and an Irish-language ''[[Gaelscoil]]''.<ref>[http://www.gscl.ie/en/ Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath]</ref>
Greystones' eight primary schools are Delgany National School, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Greystones Community National School, Greystones Educate Together National School, St. Brigid's National Catholic School, St. Kevin's National School, St. Laurence's National Catholic School and St. Patrick's National School.

The town also has four secondary schools:
*St. David's Holy Faith Secondary School is a public, [[co-educational]] school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stdavids.ie/|title=Home|website=St David's}}</ref>
*Temple Carrig School; a Church of Ireland, [[Mixed-sex education|co-educational]] secondary school which opened in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.templecarrigschool.ie/|title=Temple Carrig School &#124; Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland}}</ref>
*Greystones Community College, a (non-denominational) secondary school which opened in 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://greystonescollege.ie/|title=Greystones Community College}}</ref>
*SEK-Dublin, a private international school which offers Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) courses. It is located in Belvedere Hall and first opened its doors in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dublin.sek.es/en/|title=International school in Dublin, County Wicklow - SEK-Dublin|website=SEK Dublín|date=14 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Burke-Kennedy|first=Eoin|title=International school in Bray plans to quadruple student numbers|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/international-school-in-bray-plans-to-quadruple-student-numbers-1.4104792|access-date=2021-10-26|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref>

[[Wicklow County Council]] manages a [[Carnegie library]] opposite Burnaby Park on the main street (Church Road).

== Entertainment ==
Greystones has a number of entertainment facilities; Charlesland Sports and Recreation Park which include a skate park, several all-weather [[Association football|football]] and basketball courts, a running track and a playground.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlesland Sports and Recreational Park |publisher=Wicklow County Council |url=http://www.wicklow.ie/community%20develop/Partner%20Ship/4280/C_D_B/html/charlesland_intro.html |access-date=2 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220194845/http://www.wicklow.ie/community%20develop/Partner%20Ship/4280/C_D_B/html/charlesland_intro.html |archive-date=20 December 2007 }}</ref> The Whale Theatre, used for drama, dance, and concerts, is located in the town centre and is supplemented by Greystones Studios, which provide classes, performance space, practice rooms and AV studios.<ref>{{cite web | title =Greystones Theatre | publisher =Greystones Theatre | url =http://www.greystonestheatre.com | access-date =2 February 2009 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090123145508/http://www.greystonestheatre.com/ | archive-date =23 January 2009 | df =dmy-all }}</ref>

== Film and television ==
* The Ormonde cinema in Greystones, which closed in July 2007, featured in the ''[[Father Ted]]'' episode "[[The Passion of Saint Tibulus]]" and also in an episode of ''Custer's Last Standup''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/custers-last-stand-up/show/13908/summary.html |title=Custer's Last Stand-Up Television Show |publisher=TV.com |access-date=3 February 2009 |archive-date=15 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315040731/http://www.tv.com/custers-last-stand-up/show/13908/summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Greystones featured as a backdrop for some scenes in the popular [[BBC]] series ''[[Ballykissangel]]''.
* The town was frequently used in the Irish programme ''[[Glenroe]]''.
* Parts of the movie ''[[Taffin]]'', starring [[Pierce Brosnan]], were filmed in Greystones.
* Greystones featured in an episode of ''[[Dream Team (TV series)|Dream Team]]'', a [[Sky One]] soccer soap series.
* Parts of ''[[Inspector George Gently|George Gently]]'', a 2007 British detective one-off by [[BBC]], were filmed around the harbour. [[Martin Shaw]] starred in the production, which is set in 1960s Britain (Northumberland). The Beach House pub was renamed 'The Mariner's Rest' for the occasion.{{fact|date=October 2024}}
* The movie ''Yesterday's Children'', starring [[Jane Seymour (actress)|Jane Seymour]], was filmed in Greystones.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

== Economy ==

The Greystones area is the home to several businesses, including [[The Happy Pear]] food company<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehappypear.ie/|title=The Happy Pear|website=www.thehappypear.ie|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821160834/https://thehappypear.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-happy-pear-when-we-started-people-looked-at-us-with-pity-1.2506772|title=The Happy Pear: 'When we started, people looked at us with pity'|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Aoife|last=Valentine|date=25 January 2016|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124152/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-happy-pear-when-we-started-people-looked-at-us-with-pity-1.2506772|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> and [[Goldfish Telecom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldfish.ie/|title=Goldfish|website=www.goldfish.ie|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712141019/http://www.goldfish.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/goldfish-ie-hooks-100k-per-annum-telecoms-deal-1.1349209|title=Goldfish.ie hooks €100k per annum telecoms deal|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Pamela|last=Newenham|date=5 April 2013|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123054150/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/goldfish-ie-hooks-100k-per-annum-telecoms-deal-1.1349209|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/ringing-in-new-era-for-corporate-communications-1.956054|title=Ringing in new era for corporate communications|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=9 January 2013|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123054903/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/ringing-in-new-era-for-corporate-communications-1.956054|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

Greystones remains the most expensive [[Eircode]] (A63) outside of Dublin as of Q2 2021 at €495,000.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shortt|first=Robert|date=2021-09-15|title=Property price growth hits 3 year high of 8.6% - CSO|website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2021/0915/1246892-cso-residential-property-prices/|language=en}}</ref>

==Climate==
Greystones has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'').

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Greystones

| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan mean C = 6.6
| Feb mean C = 6.5
| Mar mean C = 7.0
| Apr mean C = 8.4
| May mean C = 10.8
| Jun mean C = 13.2
| Jul mean C = 14.8
| Aug mean C = 15.1
| Sep mean C = 13.9
| Oct mean C = 11.9
| Nov mean C = 9.1
| Dec mean C = 7.4
| year mean C = 
| Jan high C = 8.0
| Feb high C = 8.0
| Mar high C = 8.6
| Apr high C = 9.9
| May high C = 12.3
| Jun high C = 14.7
| Jul high C = 16.3
| Aug high C = 16.6
| Sep high C = 15.5
| Oct high C = 13.3
| Nov high C = 10.5
| Dec high C = 8.8
| year high C = 
| Jan low C = 5.2
| Feb low C = 5.0
| Mar low C = 5.4
| Apr low C = 6.8
| May low C = 9.1
| Jun low C = 11.6
| Jul low C = 13.3
| Aug low C = 13.5
| Sep low C = 12.4
| Oct low C = 10.4
| Nov low C = 7.7
| Dec low C = 6.0
| year low C = 
| Jan precipitation mm = 77.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 68.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 63.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 59.7
| May precipitation mm = 66.9
| Jun precipitation mm = 68.5
| Jul precipitation mm = 81.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 82.1
| Sep precipitation mm = 81.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 108.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 108.9
| Dec precipitation mm = 94.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| source 1 = Weather.Directory<ref name="Weather.Directory">
{{cite web|url=https://weather.directory/ie/greystones
|title= Greystones Weather & Climate Guide
|access-date= 26 Jul 2025
|website= Weather.Directory}}</ref>
}}

== Notable people ==
Greystones and its environs (including [[Delgany]]) are home to several notable people including:
* [[Amy Bowtell]], professional tennis player
* [[Éamon de Buitléar]], wildlife film-maker and naturalist
* [[Reggie Corrigan]], former [[Ireland national rugby union team]] team member and [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] player
* [[Paul Dunne (golfer)|Paul Dunne]], golfer
* [[Seán Drea]], former Irish [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] rower and World Championships & Henley Royal Regatta record holder
* [[Ronnie Drew]] of [[The Dubliners]] lived in Greystones
*[[Geraldine Fitzgerald]], actress 
* [[Sean FitzPatrick]], former chairman of [[Anglo Irish Bank]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sean-fitzpatrick-released-on-bail-after-facing-fresh-charges-28950651.html |title=Sean FitzPatrick released on bail after facing fresh charges |publisher=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=19 February 2013 |last=Heffernan |first=Breda |date=22 December 2012 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017105323/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sean-fitzpatrick-released-on-bail-after-facing-fresh-charges-28950651.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[George Hamilton (commentator)|George Hamilton]], commentator for [[RTÉ]] television
* [[Simon Harris]], current [[Tánaiste]]
* [[Ciara Kelly]], broadcaster
* [[Paul McNaughton]], former Irish international rugby player, ex [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] manager
* [[Samuel Middleton (cricketer)|Samuel Middleton]], cricketer
* [[John L. Murray (judge)|John L. Murray]], [[Chief Justice of Ireland]] 2004–2011
* [[A. J. Potter]], composer
* [[Damien Rice]], musician
* [[Marten Toonder]], artist, creator of [[Oliver B. Bumble]]

== Town twinning ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Ireland}}
Greystones has [[town twinning]] agreements with:

* [[Holyhead]], Wales, United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theonlinemail.co.uk/bangor-and-anglesey-news/local-bangor-and-anglesey-news/2012/01/18/holyhead-to-be-officially-twinned-with-irish-town-greystones-on-friday-66580-30138879/ |title=Holyhead to be officially twinned with Irish town Greystones on Friday |first=Ffion |last=Williams |publisher=Bangor and Anglesey Mail |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=19 April 2012}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:GreystonesHarbourSugarLump.jpg| Harbour and [[Little Sugar Loaf]]
File:Greystones street scene.jpg| Shops in Greystones
File:IMGGreystonesRocks 5068w.jpg| Seafront
File:Greystones from north.jpg| Greystones from north
File:Greystones Holy Rosary Church, La Touche Road.jpg| Holy Rosary Church
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
<!-- Before adding links, please remember that Wikipedia is a not a web directory, and see [[WP:EL]] as what is regarded as acceptable -->
{{Commons category|Greystones}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080527211849/http://www.greystoneschamber.ie/ Greystones Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://visitwicklow.ie/towns-villages/greystones/ Greystones Tourism]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110906003424/http://www.wicklow.ie/Apps/WicklowBeta/TownCouncils/gtc.aspx Greystones Town Council], archived website of former authority

{{County Wicklow}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Greystones| ]]
[[Category:Beaches of County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Wicklow]]