In 2025, we’re celebrating The Year of the Snake with a vibrant themed parade: Snakes!
This ties together the legendary story of St. Patrick chasing the snakes out of Ireland and the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Snake.

We’re calling on all local community groups to help make this event as colourful, musical, and lively as possible! Whether your part of a school, club, or organization, we’d love your creativity in crafting floats, costumes, and decorations that bring this theme to life.

We’ll be collaborating with local junior and senior schools to create snake-themed floats, artwork, and parade pieces—ensuring a day filled with colour, music, and excitement!

Save the Date: St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2025. Location: Rush National School to the Anchor on the Square

Let’s join together to celebrate our national day in spectacular style. Slither on down and be part of this unforgettable parade!

For more information or to get involved, please contact us at manager@rushcoco.ie

Big bird on a quad has been the highlight of the Rush parade for years but the big question for 2025 is has he retired! Here’s hoping he makes an appearance one more time.

As St Patricks Day approaches people’s minds turn to the annual parades. Pipe bands are synonymous with these parades, where the sound of the pipes and drums add to the spectacle and atmosphere. But many may be surprised at the origins of the bagpipes and how easy it is to join and play in a pipe band.
Today bagpipes are usually associated with Scotland. In fact the instrument traveled from Ireland to Scotland. Studies suggest it was introduced to Scotland around 470 by the invasion of Scotland by Fergus Mor the Great. The first bagpipes are mentioned in Chaldean scriptures 4000BC. The Egyptians, Persians and Romans all had bagpipes. Many European countries have their version of bagpipes too.

While the sound of the bagpipes is impressive, to start learning is more modest and inexpensive. Beginners start with a practice chanter (tin whistle size) where they learn to hold the chanter, play notes and simple tunes. The chanter is not loud, so families and neighbours are not disturbed by practice! As the beginners advance, the big pipes are later introduced at band practice. A wide variety of tunes can be played on the pipes from traditional to more modern compositions.

Joining a pipe band is much like joining a football team and training for matches. The band members practice together each week culminating in a parade, event or competition. It combines learning an instrument, music theory, being part of a team and making friends too. Learning to play builds confidence, especially for young people, and offers the opportunity to travel and compete against your peers.

If you or a son or daughter or grandchild would like to find out more, just email for information. It could be the start of a rewarding hobby. No previous musical experience necessary. Learn to play tunes like Raglan Road, Amazing Grace, Waltzing Matilda or Scotland the Brave. Once competent on the bagpipes, players can also try the small pipes, best suited for indoor music sessions.

The first marching band in Malahide was started over 100 years ago. To help maintain and be part of this musical tradition, just reach out to the Malahide Pipe Band today. Beginners welcome.

Spring is in the air and so are our students with their high-flying kicks. The students at Junsa have been practicing hard for upcoming tournaments all the while having fun. Please take look at what we are doing.

The athletics season is in full swing with plenty of events to choose from over the early months of the year. The club took a huge contingent to the Raheny 5 mile and we were well represented at the 10 mile road races in both Trim and Dungarvan. The Lusk vest was also spotted at the Seville Half Marathon and the Donadea 50k. Our Juvenile athletes have been in indoor action and training at the hub has been spiced up with the 6 week winter 3k league. Well done to all and we look forward to the brighter evenings as summer approaches.

Robyn was in fine form at the Dublin Juvenile Championships.

Lusk Action Group’s AGM will take place on Tuesday 11th March at 7.30 in the Cottage Community Centre. All are welcome to attend.

We were very happy to host a meeting last month to facilitate the set up of resident’s associations in Lusk. The Forge estate has been the first of the estates to form and hosted their first committee meeting at the end of February. We wish them the very best of luck. If you would like to get involved with a resident’s association in your estate, please get in touch with us at luskactiongroup@gmail.com and we will direct you.

We received the news in January that Planning permission has been approved for the proposed Recreational Sports Hub at Rathmore Park by An Bord Pleanála. This is the culmination of over ten years of work by Lusk Community Sports Plan 2020 committee, with the support of our public representatives. It will be delivered by Fingal County Council. Work is hoped to be commenced this Spring/Summer. We would like to thank and congratulate Lusk Community Sports Group for their hard work and perseverance over many years to bring these plans finally to fruition, and we look forward to the amazing facilities that are going to be delivered.

A little reminder to all groups and the wider community that the Lusk Autism Friendly Town committee are seeking to have all members of all community groups and businesses trained. This will lead to Lusk becoming an official autism friendly town. Training is very simple to do and takes only an hour or two. Visit www.asiam.ie and search training and accreditation to find out how to make a big difference in the lives of people with autism.

As most of you are aware, construction has starsted on the front of Orlynn Park green by Fingal County Council. This will be called Remount Court and will be an extension of the adjacent estate. It is planned to be completed by March 2026. If there are any issues during the construction site, we are asked to contact construction@fingal.ie

Lusk Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has been an annual centre piece of the town for decades and 2025 will be same. Applications for entry to the parade need to be submitted to Lusk Community Council by 5th March. For all our businesses and community groups in the town, this is a great opportunity to Fly Your Flag for our town. In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Lusk Community Council will also have a programme of music and fun in Lusk Community Cultural Centre on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March. Check out our Lusk Community Council social media for details.

Are you looking for ways to support your local North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind?

Well recently the branch placed a Q.R. code on a large collection dog in Supervalu Lusk so, if you don’t have change to put into the large dog, you can now use your phone to scan the Q.R. code and donate to the North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs.

Picture shows Jenny Supervalu Lusk staff at the large dog. Also, receipt shows what was taken from the large dog at Christmas. Thanks to all customers and staff for their support.

You can contact North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085-7663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com

The Lusk ICA ladies travelled up to the Flagstaff Bistroe Restaurant in Newry for a lovely meal, following which we received a Cead mile Failte at The Teac Mallen in Slieve Gullion Art Centre in Meigh singing and dancing all night long.

We wish the best of luck to the Drama Group who are entering their play “The Big Surprise” in the ICA National Final of the Eleanora Gibbon cup for drama, on Sunday, 9th March in An Grainan. Keep up the good work, ladies.

We highly recommend you join in with us at the Ramblers night, set dancing and storytelling (free night), which is held at 9.00pm every second Tuesday of the month in Murray’s lounge.

The Lusk ICA Guild meet on the First Thursday every month in the Scouts Den (after beavers) at 8:15 PM and we would be delighted to welcome new members to come along.

Saturday 8th February was a big day for Team LSA last month with four athletes competing in the National 50Km Championships at the 15th Donadea 50k. Conditions were a little bit challenging, but it did not stop Team LSA. Eimear Caulfield was LSA’s first female runner to compete in this Championship along with Dino Higgins, Stephan Bueck and Stephen Brennan. Alongside them was an unbelievable crew of supporters on the day!

We are extremely proud of all our members who were involved: from Eimear the first LSA finisher to the support crew who motivated everyone through to the finish line.

For anyone who aspires to running something a little shorter, we have just commenced a new Couch to 5k program - ideal for the complete beginner or those who are returning to running after injury or time out. This seven week program involves committing to running three days per week: Monday and Wednesday at 7pm at Donabate Portrane Community Centre and Saturdays at Donabate Park Run.
Meanwhile, our older Juveniles have had some great success at the recent Leinster Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships: Sinead Farrell progresses to All-Ireland Championships. She was an impressive third scorer on the winning Senior Girls Team. Reuben Capocci qualified for All-Ireland Championships in the Intermediate Boys event, with James Keegan and Leon Capocci both impressing in Senior and Minor Boys respectively.

We’ve had some great success at the recent Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships in Abbotstown: James Keegan and Reuben Capocci took the title of Dublin 800m Champion at Under 18 and Under 17 respectively. They now progress to the National Championships in Athlone later this month with Liam Handley (Shot Putt), Lea Hubert (High Jump). Reuben also competes in the U17 1500m after his second-place finish in Dublin.

Congratulations to all our athletes and their coaches for their hard work and dedication.
Keep up to date on all the events by following LSA on our website and social media pages!

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lsadonabateportrane/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LSARunning
https://lambaysportsathletics.ie/
Adult memberships queries: lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com
Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18) : lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com