Lusk in North County Dublin is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Ireland. Fluacht Fia cooking pits have been found in Lusk dating back to the Bronze Age. It has one of the tallest Round Towers in Ireland, which was raided by Viking Marauders. Before Christendom and St. MacCullin, the area was the Celtic 'Bregia', birthplace of Cú Chulainn's wife Emer, whose Clan resided in or near what we now know as Lusk.
Lusk Round Tower contains what are considered some of the finest medieval tombs in Europe. Being inside the church has meant these 15th tombs are in remarkable condition.
Lusk is one of the most important food production regions in Ireland with everything from chillies to cucumbers, cabbage, cauliflower, parsnips, celery, broccoli, leeks, beetroot, spinach and celeriac, garlic, apples pears and much more.
A sheela-na-gig was located inside the Round Tower Church in Lusk and was known by local people as ” The Idol” It was recorded and described by antiquarian Austin Cooper in 1783 as following; ‘the human features fancifully hideous; the face being seven inches broad, and the head without neck or body, being attached to a pair of kneeling thighs and legs’ It was removed and buried by the Rev. Mr Tyrrell in about 1843. Its current location is unknown.
Hand's Lane in Lusk has been identified as the site of the Arrouaisian Nuns Convent, which was established in the middle of the 12th century.
Lusk was known as 'Bregia' in pre-Christian times and was said to have been the birthplace of Cú Chulainn's wife Emer, in Irish mythology.
Something “Grotesque” in Lusk In architecture the term “grotesque” means a carved stone figure. Grotesques are often confused with gargoyles, but the distinction is that gargoyles are figures that contain a water spout through the mouth, while grotesques do not. These water spouts divert rainwater away from the outside of the building to prevent water damage and staining. We have in Lusk our very own “Grotesque”. These were decorative pieces but also said to ward off evil spirits. The Grotesque in Lusk is on the Round Tower church. The next time you are walking by look up and see if you can spot it.
Lusk has a renowned Nature Reserve called Rogerstown Estuary Park. A former landfill site, located on a tidal estuary that is home to large numbers of waders and wildfowl in winter. It is also one of the best places to see Green Sandpiper in autumn.
Lusk is home to one of the oldest pipe bands in Ireland, the Black Raven Pipe Band. Formed in 1910 as a pipers club by Thomas Ashe and local man John Rooney. They won the 'Championship of Ireland' band competition in Galway, in 1913.
The 'Man O' War' is renowned for its Public House. The pub has existed for centuries and is recorded in deeds dating back to 1595. It has a real tree in the lounge. In 1732 an Act of Parliament established a tolled Coach Road between Dublin & Dunleer (1732—1855). The Turnpike (toll booth) was situated at the Man O' War Pub.
The Port Of Lusk, long since gone, was located at Rogerstown Estuary. It is thought it may have been used by Viking invaders during attacks on the Round Tower in the town. In 2011 Several skulls and bones were recovered on the strip of land near the estuary, which local historians believe could date back to the Vikings in the 9th century. There are still some families in Lusk with Danish names and who can trace their family back to Vikings who settled in this area.
The film ‘Song o' My Heart’ was shot in Lusk in November 1929. It starred a very young Maureen O’Sullivan (of Tarzan fame and the mother of Mia Farrow) and none other than Count John McCormack. The film was made by Fox Studios and shot in a studio as well as on location in Lusk. It was the first ever wide screen production, but made its debut in March 1930 on a standard screen in New York City. The full movie can be seen here.
Go to 8:11 to see how Lusk looked in 1929.
Lusk Vineyards - Lusca Wines planted their first vineyard in 2002. Their grapes consist mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Dunkelfelder, and Rondo for their reds and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Schoenburger and Gewuerztraminer for the whites.
The Church at Baldongan Castle in Lusk was built by the Knights Templars in the 13th century after they returned from the crusades.
The lone thorn known as 'Cromwell's Bush' was situated on the ditch between Seavers and Grimes field, which is also known as 'Cromwell's Field'. Until recently the Bush was still growing there. It was said by the old residents of Lusk, that it was here, Cromwell planted his cannon that blew down Baldungan Castle.
The Round Tower in Lusk was built in the 10th or 11th century. It stands 27 m high (originally nearly 32 m high). Inside there are nine 'floors' including the basement, which is the greatest number of any round tower.
Lusk is twinned with Thorigné-Fouillard, which is located in Brittany, France. The twinning process was completed on Sunday 2nd May 1993. On 27th April 2011, a delegation of 27 visitors from the Breton region arrived in Lusk and were greeted by the Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Ken Farrell.
The Black Raven Bird is an important symbol in Norse mythology and has been associated with Lusk for centuries. The Black Raven was adopted as the official flag of Fingal, when it was taken from the Norse at the battle of Clontarf in 1066, where Brian Boru defeated the Vikings. It is also synonymous with Lusk.
Hand's Lane in Lusk has been identified as the site of an Arrouaisian Nuns Convent, which was established in the middle of the 12th Century. It was moved to Gracedieu, which is near Ballyboughal in 1190 approximately.
The Round Tower in Lusk was built by 9th Century Christians in an attempt to foil the Vikings, who were interested in not only easy pickings, but also the inhabitants themselves as a source of slave labour.
Fingal is a very old district being 4,000 years older than Dublin city. Lusk was a very important village, in fact it was the capital of Fingal for a period of time.
The 1916 patriot Thomas Ashe is synonymous with Lusk. He was a teacher in Corduff National School and founded the Black Raven Pipe Band and Round Towers GAA Club. What's lesser known is that he was related to the legendary actor Gregory Peck. They shared great-great grandparents, something Peck was very proud of.
Remount Farm in Lusk was one of three farms in the British Isles that was responsible for the purchase and training of horses and mules, for the British Army between 1887. It was burnt down by the IRA in 1913. The original officers house still stands on Station Road, along with some farm buildings which have been converted into houses. In addition to the British Army, the British Remount Service supplied animals to the Belgian, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Portuguese armies, and even the American Expeditionary Force.
Lusk in Numbers
Lusk is charming village located 23Km north of Dublin City Centre. Lusk has grown from a small village to become a main commuter town of Dublin in recent years.
Lusk is one of the main food producing regions in Ireland, renowned for its fruit and veg growers. It is the location for some of Irelands top food producers and the home of Lusca Wines, one of Irelands few wine producers.
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Average Costs of A Home in Lusk
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