Page 102 - Greystones Archaeological Historical Society

LOST BUILDINGS OF GREYSTONES

Liscarrig House

Liscarrig House was a detached so-called gentleman’s
house, with double height bay windows, located on Marine Road,
roughly where the basketball court of St David’s School is
located today. It was built circa 1870. The first occupant that can
be found was Joseph Dobbs Esq., a colliery owner and farmer,
who also resided at Coolbawn House, Castlecomer, in County
Kilkenny. Joseph was the owner of Jarrow Collieries Ltd., based
in Castlecomer. By 1922 his wife and son were living at Liscarrig.
His son, Captain John Kivas Dobbs, was in the Royal Dublin
Fusiliers and was chosen by Ernest Shackleton to be in charge
of Dogs on the SS Endurance 1914 expedition. On the outbreak
of World War I he returned to his battalion from the South Atlantic
and was awarded the Military Cross for his service. John was
fortunate to survive this war, unlike his brother Lieutenant
Colonel George Dobbs who was killed in 1917.

By 1934 Liscarrig was the home of Dr Robert Blake McVittie
and his wife Violet nee Poole. Robert was a noted doctor and
writer. Publications include Train Up a Child, a view on child
development, which was published in 1930. When Violet died
she bequeathed the house as retirement home for retired
clergyman and their wives. The house was sold to the Sisters of
the Holy Faith about 1975 and was subsequently demolished.

Braemar Hotel

A two storey four bay detached hotel, built about 1890 as a
house which was located at the corner of Sidmonton Road and
Trafalgar Road. In 1906 Braemar was occupied by Major Robert
nd
Fetherstone Devereux, retired from the 2 West India Regiment,
and his wife Frances Josephine Alicia Dennis. Richard Gorman
acquired Braemar around 1915, and he converted it into a hotel.
It remained in Richard Gorman’s ownership until it was
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