La Touche acquired the lands of upper and lower Rathdown, where modern Greystones now lies. His son David built the Bellevue estate near the Glen of the Downes, while grandson Peter expanded the holdings to include Luggala, a famous haunt of the rich and famous in the sixties at the hectic salon presided over by Guinness heir, Gareth De Brun. He fought at the Battle of the Boyne came to Dublin where he established his silk business, later moving into banking and property. Meanwhile, with the Beach House and the Burnaby the only other bars, Greystones suffered the reputation of being the driest town in Ireland, a dubious distinction that was made even worse by the closure.ĭavid Digues La Touche was amongst the Huguenot exodus from France following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The development has only recently been completed. In 2004 the La Touche closed for redevelopment as apartments. The venue hosted Mary Coughlan and other top local acts, while Bennigans Bar gave onto a large terrace and gardens and was a boon in summer. Extensive development in the late century included a conference centre and a large performance venue and night club. Enda’s for girls.Īfter Independence, the hotel remained old world, and came somewhat stuck in time as the town grew. Kiernan had been educated at Loreto Convent in Bray, before a brief period at Saint Ita’s, Padraig Pearse’s experimental attempt to launch a St. The wedding was set for November the following year, but in August Collins was killed in an ambush by Irregulars in County Cork. Michael Collins, en route to London for the Treaty negotiations, proposed to Kitty Kiernan there in October 1921. It was the height of elegance in its day and a setting for one of history’s subplots too. The La Touche opened as the Grand Hotel in 1894. Four storeys with a tower at each corner and mansard roofs connecting along front and rear facades. It vaguely suggests the outline of a castle. This was the town’s only hotel, and much the largest building. You can make a loop back inland via La Touche Road which joins Trafalgar near the railway bridge.Ībout halfway along Trafalgar Road is the large husk of the La Touche Hotel. This continues on via Marine Road heading for the South Beach. From Greystones Harbour, the direct route to the town centre is via Trafalgar Road heading uphill. Off to the left, Cliff Road follows the rocky seafront around the promontory.
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