History of Lusk

Lusk has a long and varied history which would simply not be possible to produce in such a small amount of space. Indeed, the Lusk Heritage Group is long established, researching and collated much data on the history of Lusk and the surrounding town lands. They have diligently promoted the culture and heritage of the area through talks, publications and even videos. For those interested in local history we would strongly recommend getting copies of the various works produced. Below we will attempt, however, to give a brief history of Lusk.

The name of Lusk dates back to the time of Saint Maccullin, who founded a church there in the 450s and died in 497. He is reputed to have either lived or been buried in a cave, hence the name Lusk from the Gaelic word Lusca meaning a cave or underground chamber.

Even further back in the mists of time, in the last quarter of the first century B.C., Lusk was an important sanctuary dedicated to the Celtic sun-god Lugh when it was called Lugh-Lochta Loga - The Garden of Lugh.

Lusk Abbey dominates the skyline on the approach to the village. From am architectural viewpoint it is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Ireland. It combines three distinct periods, Celtic, Anglo-Norman and modern.

The large round tower probably dates from the 10^th century. The Anglo-Norman square tower standing in its north east corner was built approximately 1480. It incorporated the old tower while the other more modern towers were added at the time for balance. It is not clear when the original church was built on this site, but as far back as 695 a major church synod was held in Lusk which attempted to fix a uniform time for the celebration of Easter.

In 1538 the Norman invaders confiscated the church and banned all Catholic services there. Because of the small number of Protestants in the district and the resultant lack of funding the church gradually fell into disrepair and its destruction was almost completed when the roof was blown off in the Great Wind of 1839. It was pulled down and the present church was built in it's place during the famine of 1847.

	The Catholic Church on the Green, with it's lovely old bandstand , is of much more modern origins. The first church was built on the site in 1809 at a cost of £ 2000.
That building stood until 1922 when it was declared unsafe and was replaced with the present church.

The pyramid-shaped monument standing in front of the church was erected in the mid 1800's to commemorate the Rev. Peter James Tyrell, Parish Priest of Lusk from 1841 to 1843. Fr Tyrrell was arrested in 1843 along with Daniel O'Connell and five others who collectively became known as the Repeal Martyrs. He died in prison before he could be tried for treason.

The tomb of Sir Christopher Barnewell and his wife Marion Sharl is situated in Lusk Abbey. Sir Christopher, who lived in nearby Turvey House, was a member of one of the most influential families ever to live in Fingal.

Barnewalls were regularly elected to Parliament for both Meath and Dublin. Other positions which they held included Treasurer of Ireland, Lord High Chancellor, Solicitor General, Master of the Rolls, Attorney General, Second Baron of the Exchequer and Sheriff of County Meath. Marion Sharl was grandmother to Saint Oliver Plunkett by her second marriage to Sir Lucas Dillon.

An even more famous family lived in Lusk over 2000 years ago. Forgall Monach owned one of six famous Bruidins or public courts of hospitality in Ireland in about the year 20 B.C. He lived in Rathmooney, between Lusk and Quickpenny on what was then the ancient road north. His daughter Eimear Monarch was destined to become the wife of Cuchullain but only after a siege of more than a year which resulted in Forgall being slain by Cuchullain.

Lusk is proud of it's ancient past, secure in its modern day outlook and confident in it's future.

Grateful acknowledgement to the Lusk Heritage Society and in particular Aidan Arnold for the detail contained. There is a wealth of information collected by the society over the years and the following are available for purchase:

Title	Type	Cost
The Land of The Fair Stranger	Video	IR 8.00
Before the Cross was raised	Video	IR 8.00
Lusk Through the Ages	Book	IR 5.00
The Story of Lusk	Book	IR 4.00