Retracing Greystones

At this year’s Picnic in the Park in Greystones, the Greystones Town Team, Wicklow County Council, and Studio Myco are teaming up to tell the story of how the town came to be. Their stand, entitled "Retracing Greystones”, invites visitors on a journey through time — from the town’s humble beginnings as a small fishing hamlet to its transformation into the vibrant seaside community we know today.
The display demonstrates the early days when fishing boats lined the shore and life revolved around the sea, moving into the 19th century, when everything started to shift. The arrival of the railway in 1855 connected Greystones to the rest of Ireland, bringing tourists and new residents who saw the town as a peaceful escape from city life.
With that came leafy streets, elegant houses, and a growing reputation as a holiday destination. Old photographs, maps, and stories help paint a picture of a town shaped by both its natural beauty and the people who were drawn to it.
Retracing: Greystones is a chance to reflect on how the town grew — not just in size, but in spirit — to celebrate the layers of history that still echo through its streets today and think about how that could be protected and enhanced.