Penybryn

[Admin (Matt)]

Pen-y-bryn / Pen y bryn

http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/listedindex/1%20(79).htm

Penybryn was originally the quarry manager's house having been designed by Benjamin Wyatt.

Dr Mary Davies lived at Penybryn with her husband William Cadwaladr Davies from 1888 to 1905.  She was born in London on February 27th 1855 and died there on June 22nd 1930. She was a mezzo soprano and a famous opera singer. Her husband William Cadwaladr Davies , whom she married in 1888, was the first registrar of Bangor University. His poor health forced Mary to give up her singing career in the 1890s and she returned to London after his death in 1905.

At the back of the house there was a plaque of the composer Smetana, who composed the opera "The Bartered Bride" with the date 1895. Did Smetana stay at Penybryn during that time?

 

Student prank?... (Aug 1891)