On Tuesday morning 4th of November in skinny batch Coffee Shop Lusk a fundraising coffee morning will be held to raise money for the Balbriggan\North County Dublin Branch of Irish guide Dogs for the blind.
Running from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, there will be guide dogs Xmas cards, 2026 calendars for sale and a car raffle ticket costing euro5 each to win a Ford Puma later in the year
All money raised goes for the training of guide dogs for blind people and assistance dogs for children with Autism. All involved in this fundraiser are total volunteers and we wish to thank Sharyn Hayden of Skinny Batch Food Ltd Lusk and her team for organizing this lovely event.
Should any reader of this article wish to volunteer with the branch or indeed become a puppy raiser from the readership of this article please contact us on below details. We can never have enough volunteers and without puppy raisers no guide or assistance dog can be trained. We need you.
More details on www.guidedogs.ie To contact our branch of guide dogs’ email guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com or call 085-7663107.
Tom O’Neill, guide dog owner and co-chair of the branch
Congratulations to all club members who completed one of the autumn marathons including the Dublin City Marathon. Also well done to all who have represented the club in one of the recent cross-country events. We were thrilled to present some of our athletes with hard fought medals won at Dublin Road Races. Niamh Coughlan won F35 Gold at both the Dublin 10 mile and the F35 Half Marathon while Dara Harford won F40 Silver at the Dublin 5k. There were also team medals for Sarah Farrell, Julie Griffith and Sarah Moore (F50 Bronze at the Dublin Half) and Emma Przymusinska, Dara Harford, Geraldine McHale and Louisa Fahy (F35 Silver at the Dublin 5k). A reminder to members to purchase tickets for our Christmas party on December 12th before they sell out. Finally, we were delighted to help Donabate parkrun celebrate its 10th anniversary last month. The club always has a good presence at parkrun with a large contingent of runners as well as regular volunteers. Here’s to the next 10!
Theresa Murphy – Chairperson On behalf of Lusk Senior Citizens Committee said: “I would like to thank everyone who came out on a very wet Saturday to support our vegetable sale. A very big thank you to all the local farmers who very generously donated all the vegetables, fruit and plants. It was a very successful day.”
What a busy month of hard work and fun the Ladies in Lusk ICA had for September and October.
The sports group enjoyed a great bowling night out recently in ALSAA organized by Teresa Killoran. Maria Baird was Presented by Teresa Killoran for a first place; Pauline Flynn came second, and Angela O’Brien came third.
A big thanks to all the ladies who served Tea and Biscuits in the School on Sunday 12th October after the 11.30am Commemoration Mass celebrating the Centenary of St MacCullins Church
Congratulations to Mary Shortall and her ICA colleagues from Dublin Federation who came 3rd at National Pitch and Putt competition in Seapoint.
Beautiful afternoon tea was enjoyed in the Grand Hotel in Malahide organized by Mary Hickey.
Once again thanks to Mary Hickey for organizing a magical experience to Neven Maguire’s wonderful restaurant in Black Lion.
Our thanks to Antoinette Doran and Rosanna Darby and all the team who worked so hard in raising funds for our annual coffee morning in aid of the hospice. Thanks again to everyone who helped and supported us, to Conrad Murray Top Shop, and we are not forgetting all the very kind and generous donations for our Raffle from all the local businesses in Lusk - the final total raised was €3,320.00.
Finally, our Drama group travelled to Ballyheigue County Kerry where we all had a fun weekend of art, dancing, and food. Thanks to Anne Smithers for her hard work arranging it.
A few wonderful photos from Pat Kelly’s archive showing the installation and unveiling of the Black Raven statue on the Dublin Road roundabout in 2005.
This striking piece was commissioned by Lusk Tidy Towns and created by artist Bríd Ní Rinn – one of many projects that have helped shape the look and spirit of our town.
The Black Raven has long been a symbol of Lusk and Fingal. It was said to have been captured from the Norse at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, brought back to Lusk, and has been part of our story ever since.
In Irish Mythology The Morrigan, a Celtic goddess of war, fate, and sovereignty, is strongly associated with the Raven because of her ability to shapeshift into a Raven to observe and influence battles.
The statue is just one example of what Lusk Tidy Towns do for our community.
For over 40 years they have been involved in: Commissioning public art; installing benches and street furniture; keeping our town clean and beautiful; leading biodiversity and sustainability projects with local, national and even international partners.
They have also been at the centre of much of our community’s social life throughout these years.
Everything they do is volunteer led, by people who give anything from a couple of hours a month upwards. Whether it’s project management, planting, litter picking, installing Barn Owl boxes, or simply helping with events, every little effort adds up.
All the beautiful things we see around Lusk happen because local people care enough to make them happen.
If you recognise anybody in the photos let us know. Email: tidytownslusk@gmail.com
Courtesy Lusk Tidy Towns.
The pupils and staff of Hedgestown National School were delighted to welcome Minister for Education Helen McEntee and her team to their school on Thursday, 9th October.
The Minister was accompanied by Fine Gael Fingal T.D. Grace Boland, Fine Gael Councillor Eoghan Dockrell, and Councillor Tom O’Leary, Lord Mayor of Fingal. Also in attendance were Lusk Parish Priest Father Kevin Moore and Chairperson of the Board of Management Liam Fitzgerald.
The purpose of the visit was to tour the school’s new two-storey building, officially opened in 2024, and to mark the recent establishment of two new autism classes — Solas Glas and Solas Buí.
Principal Damien O’Donoghue led the Minister and guests on a tour of the school, showcasing its modern classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and impressive facilities, including the school hall and on-site crèche and childcare services provided by ToddleIn Crèche and Montessori. Minister McEntee cut a ribbon to commemorate the occasion and visited the new sensory room, where she met several students from the Solas classes.
During her visit, the Minister also spent time in the mainstream classrooms. Pupils in Mr. Bund’s 5th and 6th class impressed her with their knowledge of the election process — knowledge gained from the recent Student Council elections, in which students from 2nd to 6th class participated by voting on ballot papers following nominee speeches. The Minister also enjoyed a musical performance from the class, which included a group tin whistle recital and individual performances on the harp and guitar.
The next stop was Mr. Hagan’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th class, where pupils confidently recited a poem and asked the Minister thoughtful questions about political life — including one particularly popular query: “Who has the authority to decide there is no more homework !?”
Finally, the Minister visited Ms. Bentley’s classroom, where Junior Infants to 1st Class showcased their Irish language skills. When asked what advice they would give the Minister’s own child, who will start primary school next year, the pupils eagerly offered helpful and heartfelt suggestions.
Speaking after the visit, Principal Damien O’Donoghue expressed his gratitude:
“We were honoured to welcome Minister McEntee and her colleagues to Hedgestown National School. It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn more about government and civic responsibility, while also sharing the fantastic progress and spirit of our rural school community.”
Hedgestown National School would like to extend its sincere thanks to Minister McEntee and all visiting representatives for taking the time to engage with the pupils and staff. The visit provided an inspiring insight into public service and leadership for the entire school community.
Wishing club members well in the Dublin City Marathon which takes place on Sunday 26th October. You’ve put in the miles over recent months so it’s time to enjoy the day and the whole marathon experience. As usual we will be organising a Marathon bus to and from the event. Please contact the club to book your seat.
Well done to our juveniles on the Cross-Country season to date and to our club members who volunteered at any of the events. Well done also to club athletes who were in race action during recent weeks.
We enjoyed our fantastic annual garden party hosted by Maria Baird and her team, with entertainment by Gerry and the Plonkers.
The Lusk ICA ladies also enjoyed a relaxing Spa Day in the Beautiful Johnstone House Hotel recently.
Our thanks to Mary Hassett and Mary Hagan for hosting the recent coffee morning in aid of Gaza, where she raised over €3,000 and still counting.
We also joined the Lusk Senior Citizens for a great day out to Kilkenny Castle recently, and the Woodstock Gardens followed by a lovely meal Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow. Thanks to Kitty McCormack and her team for organizing.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd October at 8.15 in the Lusk Scouts new members are very welcome to come along.
Lusk Village Quarter - Planning Application:
Earlier in the year, Fingal Co Council sought more information on the planning application submitted for the final phase of the Lusk Village Quarter. Among some of the information requested included the crèche location and accessibility and pub/restaurant location.
During the summer, the developers, McGarrell Reilly requested a three-month extension in which to submit the required information. This means that the developer has until 17th December in which to submit the information after which FCC will review and made a decision. Unfortunately, this means that the building on the much-needed amenities will be delayed until the planning application is approved, likely to now be in Quarter 1 2026.
Town Centre First - Regeneration:
During the summer, Fingal County Council hosted three workshop meetings with the community in preparation for the setting up of a new Town Team structure.
The Team, once in place will work with FCC in allocating various projects contained within the Lusk for Life Plan to community groups to implement. It is hoped that the Town Team structure will be finalised in October.
Summer Festival
On 3rd September, it was agreed to establish a new standalone committee, the Summer Festival Planning team to start planning for the festival for 2026.
Santa Truck – Save the Date!
Lusk has been offered an exciting opportunity to host the Santa Truck in 2025. The truck which travels around Ireland to bring Christmas cheer in aid of the Laura Lynn charity is due to visit Lusk on Friday, 12th December. LAG will be providing support to organise the event. More information will be available next month but for now, save that date!
The summer months have been full of road races and track & field with plenty of opportunities for our club members to reap the benefits of their training sessions. Marathon plans are now up and running with many now looking forward to the Dublin City Marathon in October. The club’s 50th anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday 6th September. There will be road races around the village green and a party in the parish hall. All welcome to join us.
Welcome back to training for our juvenile members after the summer break and a big welcome to our new members.
for December marathons in Valencia and Turin. There was also a Lusk AC parkrun takeover where our latest Fit4Life group completed their graduation 5k runs. The races will be coming thick and fast from January onwards so talk to your coach for a training plan to suit your needs.
