Page 87 - Greystones Archaeological Historical Society

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 8

Just a few steps further on, on the corner of Trafalgar Road
and La Touche Road, stands Holy Rosary Church, built by
Patrick Kinlen on the site of a galvanised-iron chapel, destroyed
by a violent storm in 1903. The partially-built church was used
for the first time in 1904, and was officially opened in 1909. The
church contains some fine stained glass, most notably two
windows (The Good Shepherd and Our Lady of the Rosary) by
Evie Hone (1894-1955), and two (The Annunciation of the Virgin
and The Coronation of the Virgin) by David Clarke (1920-2005),
a former resident of Greystones, and son of the artist Harry
Clarke.

Leaving the church, cross the road and continue past a
couple of pretty cottages on the right, and over the railway bridge
onto La Touche Place. On your left is Eden Road, and Davis’s
Garage – look upwards to see the World War 2 siren on the roof.
This was utilised until 1979 as the local fire alarm, activated, from
her house on the corner of La Touche Close opposite, by
Beatrice Gunning. The Greystones fire engine – a Land Rover
with a green canvas back – was kept in the shed adjoining
Gunnings’ house.

A little further on, on the left-hand side of La Touche Place,
is the site of the primary school which served the Church of
Ireland population prior to the building of the present St Patrick’s
School in 1975.

Turning left at the T-junction, you find yourselves once more
on Church Road, Greystones’s main shopping area. Walking
along the street (perhaps dawdling en route for a spot of window-
shopping or a coffee) you pass a Spanish restaurant, Las Tapas,
once a drapery shop, known first as The Arcade and later as
Bel’s. A little further on Beau’s Walk, a small alley-way leading
down towards the railway line, is a reminder of a dapper former
resident.
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