BLACKROCK, a village, in the parish of MONKSTOWN,
half-barony of RATHDOWN, county of DUBLIN,
and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (S. E.) from Dublin
Castle j containing 2050 inhabitants. This place, which
is situated on the southern shore of Dublin bay, consists
of one principal street extending along the road from
Dublin to the head of the village, and continued along
the two roads which meet there from Kingstown, also
of several minor streets and avenues, containing altogether
308 houses irregularly built, of which some are
in pleasant and retired situations. The village itself
possesses few pleasing features, but the country around
it is beautifully diversified, and the immediate vicinity is
embellished with numerous detached villas surrounded
with pleasure grounds disposed with much taste. Maritimo,
the marine villa of Lord Cloncurry, and Blackrock
House, the residence of the Rev. Sir Harcourt Lees, Bart.,
are beautifully situated; the Dublin and Kingstown
railway passes through the grounds of both these seats.
Carysfort House, the villa of the Right Hon. W. Saurin,
commands a fine view of the sea and of the mountains
in the neighbourhood; Newtown House, belonging to
W. Hodgens, Esq., is finely situated, and from the rear
is a noble view of the bay of Dublin. The other principal
seats are Montpelier House, that of J. Duckett, Esq.;
Mount Temple, of E. Brewster, Esq.; Frescati Lodge, of
H. Cole, Esq.; Field Villa, of H. C. Field, Esq.; and
Laurel Hill, of the Rev. Hugh White. Frescati, formerly
the seat of the Fitzgerald family, a spacious mansion
erected by the mother of Lord Thomas Fitzgerald,
called "Silken Thomas," is now divided into four separate
dwellings, and occupied by respectable families.
The facilities for sea-bathing render this a place of great
resort during the summer months; several respectable
boarding-houses have been opened for the accommodation
of visiters; and an excellent hotel, called Seapoint
House, has been built and fitted up for the reception of
E e
families. Baths have been constructed by the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway Company, on the side of the
railway embankment, which passes along the sea-shore
close to the village, and to these access is obtained by a
handsome foot bridge from the high ground. An elegant
bridge has been built over the railway, which passes
close under Seapoint House, affording the inmates a
facility of access to a boat pier on the opposite side. In
the centre of the village is a large block of granite, on
which are the remains of an ancient cross; to this spot,
which is the southern extremity of the city of Dublin,
the lord mayor, -with the civic authorities, proceeds
when perambulating the boundaries of his jurisdiction.
The twopenny post has three deliveries daily
from the metropolis; and in addition to the constant
railway communication with the city, numerous
cars are stationed here, plying in all directions. There
is an Episcopal chapel in Carysfort avenue; it was
formerly a dissenting place of worship, but was purchased
a few years since, and endowed with £1000 from
a fund bequeathed by Lord Powerscourt; the chaplain
is appointed by the trustees. In the R. C. divisions this
place forms part of the union of Booterstown; the chapel,
situated in the village, was built in 1822, by subscription,
at an expense of £750. A nunnery of Carmelite
sisters was established in 1822, consisting of a
superior, 20 professed nuns, and three lay sisters; the
ladies of this convent support a school for the gratuitous
instruction of 120 girls, who are also clothed annually at
Christmas. A school for boys was built in 1822, by
subscription, and is supported by collections at charity
sermons; and a girls' school was erected in 1827, chiefly
at the expense of the Rev. J. McCormick, R. C. clergyman,
by whom it is partly supported. A savings' bank
has been established. See MONKSTOWN.