Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
A tall, old-looking, detached house on College Rd (a pleasant road which runs between Dulwich College and a park), Dulwich (the S end of Dulwich, location also described as "South Dulwich"), SC London (London SE21).
Heading S down the bottom of College Rd,
the house is located
just past the Parish Church of St.Stephen,
just past Sydenham Hill station.
The house is
on the RHS (same side as the church),
just past the church,
on the bend in the road.
See satellite view
and 3D view
and street view.
St Stephen's Church (C of E), "South Dulwich", was built 1867-75.
The house was the home of
James O'Mara and his wife Agnes Cashel
1907 to 1914.
They named it "Dunlica"
after Dunlica Castle, Co.Clare,
where James had proposed to his wife (probably in the summer of 1892).
They pronounced it "Dun-lick-a", NOT "Dun-leek-a".
See
entry
in James' father's address book
[P40/234].
Has "Ag's seaside address" as 2 Wentworth Terrace (now Market Cross Place, on the seafront),
Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
And then James and Agnes' main address, which he writes as "St Stephen's Vicarage"
rather than Dunlica.
Another
entry
says "Dunlica".
My grandmother
Eithne O'Mara
was born at "Dunlica" in 1908.
James and Agnes left 1914 to go back to Ireland
(after more than 20 years in England).
The house was then a hotel, "Dulwich Court Hotel".
Had that name by 1927.
Dulwich Court Hotel shown there on 1936-52 map.
In 1950s-60s it was a Miss Sharman's children's home
for girls.
In late 1960s it became a Barnardo's
children's home.
It was
derelict for a number of years.
It was
purchased 1992 and restored again as a family home.
Now called "St. John's Wood House", 100 College Rd,
a Grade 2 listed building.
The garden was open to the public
on a one-off
"Open Garden" day
in 2015.
Dunlica (now "Dulwich Court Hotel")
on 1936-52 map.
St Stephen's Church, showing "Dunlica" beside it (on left).
Photo 2006.
See full size
and alternate shot.
"Dunlica", front side, 2006.
See full size.
Entrance to "Dunlica", prob. 1913.
See full size.
Entrance gate to "Dunlica".
Detail from above.
Entrance gate, 2006. Old gateposts still there.
See full size
and alternate shot.
See
street view.
"Dunlica", rear side, 2006.
St Stephen's Church in background.
See full size.
See alternate shot
and alternate shot.
Steen, Pat and Maureen, 1908.
In "Dunlica" back garden (church in background).
See larger
and full size.
See back.
The side farthest away from the church, 2006.
Light-adjusted detail of the above.
See full size.
James O'Mara and his family, "Dunlica", London, 1912.
Same side as above (rear side).
(Left to Right):
Una, James O'Mara, Pat, Eithne,
Agnes Cashel, Sheila,
Steen, Maureen, Eileen.
The garden looks here to be on the same level as the house,
but the photo below shows this is an illusion.
The garden is actually down a slope from the house.
See larger
and full size.
See other scan.
"Dunlica", rear side, Feb 1908.
Shows that the garden is down a slope from the house.
Note croquet hoops.
See larger
and full size.
"Dunlica", rear side, 2006.
The lawn was derelict and overgrown for many years,
but has now been restored.
The level of the garden has not changed since the older photos above.
See full size
and alternate shot.
Still from above.
St Stephen's Church in background.
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