Rush Tourism has been overwhelmed by the response to this year’s Heritage Week programme, Rush 1926–2026: A Walk Through Time, with large attendances at every event and an extraordinary reaction both locally and from much further afield.
Throughout the week, residents joined a series of walks and talks exploring the people, families and places that have shaped Rush. But perhaps the greatest surprise was the response on social media. Stories and photographs reached former Rush residents now living in far-flung parts of the world, as well as descendants of people whose grandparents and great-grandparents once lived and worked on the Kenure Estate.
And with those connections came some remarkable pieces of Rush history.
We met people who still hold rent books dating from the 1840s for land rented from the Palmer family, while another family has opera glasses purchased at the final auction of Kenure House. One particularly special connection came from the grandchild of Lady Palmer’s goddaughter, who still treasures Lady Palmer’s Bible as a precious family possession.
These are the personal connections that bring local history to life. They remind us that the story of Kenure and old Rush is not something confined to history books—it survives in families, photographs, documents, treasured possessions and memories passed from one generation to the next.
One of the highlights of the week was hearing John Walsh trace the story and connections of families who have lived in Rush for generations. John himself is a direct descendant of the Walsh family whose connection with Kenure stretches back to the 1700s. Hearing how these families developed, intermarried and remained part of the fabric of Rush—and how many of their descendants are still living and running businesses here today—was fascinating for everyone who attended.
The walks led by Niall Gossan and Declan “CJ” Costello also demonstrated the huge appetite that exists for Rush’s local history. Familiar streets, buildings and landmarks took on a completely different meaning when the stories of the people who once lived and worked there were brought back to life.
A very special part of the programme was Kenure Church, where Valerie and Anna proudly welcomed visitors and shared the story of this remarkable building, one of the great surviving legacies of the Palmer family and a very different era in Rush.
Rush Tourism would like to sincerely thank John Walsh, Niall Gossan and Declan Costello, who gave their time, knowledge and enthusiasm freely and made the week such a success. We are also hugely grateful to Christine Baker of Fingal Heritage, whose support from the very beginning helped make the programme possible, and to Valerie and Anna for their wonderful welcome at Kenure Church.
But our biggest thank you is to everyone who came along, contacted us from near and far, shared a memory, produced an old photograph or opened a box containing a treasured piece of their family history.
We were genuinely blown away by the response.
Heritage Week may be over, but the stories certainly aren’t. Every photograph, memory and family treasure shared with us adds another piece to the story of Rush—and shows just how strongly the Rush of today remains connected to the Rush of generations past.
For more than a decade, Rush juniors has welcomed children aged 4 to 14 to Kenure Park on a Sunday morning for a fun 2km run. We were actually the first ever junior parkrun event in Ireland and have hosted thousands of kids at 470 events since our launch in late 2015. There are now 47 junior parkruns across Ireland every Sunday morning, so we like to think of ourselves as trendsetters!
Despite cheering on around 30 young runners each week, we’ve recently struggled to fill our volunteer roster and have come very close to cancelling the event on several occasions. We have a very dedicated core group of Run Directors - thank you all - but are in need of additional casual volunteers who can help with tasks like marshalling, timekeeping, tail-walking and barcode scanning.
There is no pressure to commit to helping out every single week; even volunteering once every few weeks would make a big difference. The time commitment is very small - we meet just before 9.30am and are usually packed up and heading home before 10.15am.
So, what’s the benefit of volunteering? Firstly, a big hit of Sunday morning dopamine! What’s not to love about cheering on a big group of kids as they storm through the woods? You’d be supporting your local community, meeting new people, and encouraging the next generation to stay healthy and active.
If you’d like to come and help out – whether it’s once, twice, or on a regular basis – please drop us an email at rushjuniors@parkrun.com. We’d love to welcome you.
You can find out more about Rush junior parkrun at www.parkrun.ie/rush-juniors/ , or on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/rushjuniorparkrun/ .
Rush Cricket Club recently celebrated a remarkable milestone — 50 years of consecutive women’s cricket, from 1976 to 2026.
The occasion was a wonderful celebration of the many players, past and present, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who have contributed to this incredible chapter in the club’s history.
The celebrations began with a Youth Cricket “Give It a Bash” session, giving the next generation an opportunity to enjoy the game and experience the sense of fun and community that cricket brings.
This was followed by a very special ladies’ cricket match, with Rush women’s players from across the decades returning to the field. Past and present teammates joined together for a fun-filled game, reconnecting with old friends and creating new memories along the way.
The day concluded with a lovely afternoon tea and celebratory speeches, reflecting on the history of women’s cricket at Rush and recognising the many people who have helped it flourish over the past 50 years.
Rush’s contribution to women’s cricket has also reached the highest level, with a number of players who represented Ireland having played their cricket at Rush during their careers. We are incredibly proud of the Rush connection to Collette McGuinness, Caitriona Beggs, Ciara Metcalfe, Carole McGuire, Clodagh Conway and Aoife Beggs — all of whom represented Ireland and were part of the Rush cricket story at different stages. These players are a wonderful reflection of the talent, ambition and opportunities that women’s cricket at Rush has fostered over the years.
Perhaps the most special part of the day was seeing players reconnect with teammates — sharing stories, reminiscing about matches and memorable moments, and celebrating the friendships that have lasted long beyond their playing days.
Cricket brought us together — and 50 years later, it continues to do just that.
Rush Cricket Club looks forward to continuing this wonderful legacy and inspiring many more generations of girls and women to pick up a bat, take the field and become part of the Rush cricket family.
Another summer begins to draw to a close a the Let’s Play Rush Summer Sports Day takes place at Tayleur’s Point. The old-school style sports day filled with fun, laughter, and a wide range of sporting games and activities is open to all families in the area.
Developed as part of the European URBACT Playful Paradigm Project, Let’s Play Rush continues to create opportunities for people of all ages to engage in play and community activities. Supported by Fingal County Council and delivered in partnership with Rush Tidy Towns, the 38th Rush Scout Group, local representatives, and community organisations, the initiative highlights the town’s many public spaces including Rush’s beaches and harbour, Rush Library, the Millbank Theatre, Kenure Woods, and local playgrounds and green spaces.
This year’s event brought the community together through a variety of playful activities. Participants enjoyed youth and adult races, tug of war, egg and spoon competitions, and had the opportunity to play Giant Jenga and Connect 4. Families also engaged with local street artists and face painting, adding colour and creativity to the celebration.
Cllr Tony Murphy, Mayor of Fingal, who presented medals on the day, said, “What a wonderful event for the people of Rush and a massive word of thanks must go to Rush Tidy Towns, the 38th Scout Group Rush, members of the Let’s Play Rush Initiative and Fingal County Council who have made this a fun day for all. It further highlights what can be achieved with community participation and the positive contribution it makes to all our towns and villages across the county.”
Niall Mc Guirk, Healthy Fingal Coordinator with Fingal’s Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sport Department, praised the project’s impact:
“We’re delighted to see the Let’s Play Rush Project going from strength to strength with the dedication and support of the local community in organising and running playful events in the town. The project encourages people of all ages to embrace play and enjoy the public spaces in Rush together, promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and an inclusive environment for everyone.”
With strong community participation and growing enthusiasm, Let’s Play Rush continues to strengthen connections across Rush while showcasing the power of play to bring people together. Brendan O’Reilly, Chairperson of Rush Tidy Towns said, “the Let’s Play Rush Committee take great pride and satisfaction from delivering this free annual summer event, and the feedback we get from the community is nothing but positive. We couldn’t do this without the support and advice from Fingal County Council, and a massive thanks to them for their involvement”.
Rush farmer Shane Halpin has made history after he was named the 2026 FBD Young Farmer of the Year, becoming the first winner from Dublin in the competition’s history.
Shane runs Welgro Produce with business partner Sean, growing seven acres of cucumbers across multiple sites in North County Dublin. Having been involved in farming, particularly horticulture, from a young age, Shane established Welgro in 2021 on a leased three-acre nursery.
The enterprise has expanded each season, with an additional nursery purchased in 2023 more than doubling the growing area. Welgro now employs 10 full-time staff, rising to 35 at peak times with seasonal staff. The business supplies retail, wholesale and food service customers with fresh Irish-grown cucumbers from March to November and won the Teagasc Newbie Award in 2021.
Chairman of the FBD Trust Michael Berkery expressed his congratulations to all award recipients on the night.
“On behalf of FBD Insurance, I am delighted to congratulate Shane, our Young Farmer of the Year, and six category winners on this significant achievement. This competition, now in its 28th year, continues to attract enthusiastic and dedicated young farmers and Macra members from around the country. FBD Insurance is honoured to continue its long-standing partnership with Macra and support the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards, which celebrate and recognise the vital role young farmers play in shaping the future of Irish farming. We hope these awards continue to inspire the next generation to build thriving, sustainable businesses that will strengthen rural Ireland for years to come.”
A huge congratulations to the Boys’ Football Team from St Catherine’s National School on their recent victory in the FAI League Final.
After months of hard work, training, and dedication, the team travelled to the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh on Thursday 18th June, to face Scoil Aonghusa from Tallaght, in what proved to be a thrilling final. The whole school community was behind the boys every step of the way. Before they left for the match, they received a fantastic send-off from their fellow pupils and staff, who lined the school corridors to wish them the very best of luck.
From the first whistle, the match was played at a high standard, with both teams showing great skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Our boys worked tirelessly as a team, remained composed under pressure, and held onto their lead throughout the game. Their efforts were rewarded with a memorable 3–2 victory. At the final whistle, players, coaches, parents, and supporters celebrated together as the team were crowned FAI League champions. A very special thank you and congratulations to parent coach, Vicky, whose dedication, encouragement, and commitment played a huge role in helping the boys achieve this wonderful success. Well done to the entire squad on an incredible achievement.
Loughshinny Utd held their Annual funday with Mam’s v Kids games and end of season awards. Everyone had a great time with pizza, chips and ice cream as a reward for all the hard work.
Girl’s U14s Player of the Year
Kate Eksteen
Boys U14s Player of the Year
Elliott Watson
Walk the streets, discover the stories and meet the families who shaped Rush over the past 100 years.
This August, Rush Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to step back in time as part of its Heritage Week 2026 programme. Through a unique series of guided walks, illustrated talks and storytelling events, Rush 1926–2026: A Walk Through Time will celebrate the people, places and families that have shaped the village over the past century.
Led by local historians Niall Gossan, John Walsh and Declan Costello, the week-long programme explores how Rush has evolved since the 1926 Census. While the village has changed dramatically—with new housing, changing businesses and a growing population—many of the families who helped build its character continue to call Rush home today.
The programme is free, family friendly and open to everyone, whether you have lived in Rush all your life, recently moved to the area, or simply have an interest in local history.
Saturday, 15 August | 2.00pm–4.30pm
Changing Rush 1926–2026: The Families That Built Rush… and Never Really Left
Beginning at Rush Community Centre and finishing at Harbour Park, this guided walk follows the story of one local family to reveal how the village has changed over the past century. Participants are encouraged to bring along old photographs, family stories and memorabilia, which will be scanned and returned on the day, helping to build a lasting community archive for Rush.
Sunday, 16 August | 2.00pm–4.00pm
Kenure Church & Graveyard
Marking the 160th anniversary of Kenure Church, this guided visit explores the history of the church, the people buried there and the families whose stories are woven into the fabric of Rush.
Monday, 17 August | 5.30pm–7.30pm
Kenure Heritage Walk
Beginning at the Kenure Gates, this walk takes in the Pillar, the Portico and the Famine Wall while exploring the history of one of Fingal’s most significant historic estates.
Wednesday, 19 August | 7.00pm
Census: Rush 1926–2026
Hosted by Niall Gossan and John Walsh at The Strand Bar, this evening traces the lives of the families who lived in Rush a century ago through census records, historic photographs and local stories. Visitors are invited to bring their own family photographs and documents for scanning and preservation.
Friday, 21 August | 5.30pm–6.30pm
St Catherine’s Graveyard & Well
Beginning at the Portico, this walk uncovers one of Rush’s oldest historic sites. Hear the story of the Palmer family and their descendants, discover John Walsh’s own family connections, and explore the enduring mystery of Jack the Bachelor’s missing headstone and the search for the location of his grave.
Saturday, 22 August | 11.00am–12.30pm
Millbank to Harbour Heritage Twalk
Join Declan Costello on a guided walk through the heart of Rush, discovering how the village has changed over the last century while many of its best-known family names remain part of everyday life.
Sunday, 23 August | 3.00pm–5.00pm
Kenure House: A Story of What It Was
Beginning at the Kenure Gates and continuing to the Portico, Niall Gossan tells the remarkable story of Kenure House, its people and its lasting influence on the village. Although the house has long since disappeared, its legacy continues to shape Rush today.
Throughout the week, organisers are inviting the community to become part of the project by sharing old photographs, documents and memories. Every image scanned and every story recorded will help preserve Rush’s heritage, ensuring that today’s memories become tomorrow’s history.
Whether you are tracing your own family roots, discovering Rush for the first time or simply enjoying a summer walk with family and friends, Rush Tourism’s Heritage Week 2026 programme offers something for everyone.
All events are free, family friendly and everyone is welcome.
Free tickets are available through Eventbrite. Follow Rush Tourism on Facebook and Instagram for booking links, programme updates and further event information.
Fingal Arts Office is pleased to announce Martina O’Brien as the recipient of the Loughshinny Boathouse Studio Award. The objective of this award is to provide a fully funded studio for a professional visual artist to research and develop new work in response to the coastal environment of Loughshinny and surrounding areas.
The coastline of Fingal is a wonderful natural amenity and an important wildlife resource for the many plants and animals that live in the diversity of habitats found around its shores. This initiative provides funding to enable the artist to observe and explore Fingal’s biodiversity, coastal habitats and climate change impacts. The former boathouse, located in the beautiful coastal village of Loughshinny will provide an ideal space for the artist to undertake research, interact with environmental scientists and engage with local communities. As part of her nine-month residency from September to 2026 – May 2027, Martina will develop and create new work centering on Fingal’s marine environment.
To mark UNESCO’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the third Multicultural Day was celebrated at St Catherine’s National School on Friday 22nd May. This event has been run previously in 2018 and 2024 and this year’s event brought new countries and cultures to the exhibition.
The following countries were represented with a stand in the hall: Australia, Brazil, Central African Republic, Congo, France, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Many of the stands displayed traditional artefacts and offered food from the country on display but the interpretation by some country’s representatives was quite broad. The Great Britain table featured a spotlight on Bristol and featured a model of Concorde and a large Darth Vader figure (played by Bristolian actor David Prowse in the original trilogy). The Australia table featured a Bluey playset which was complemented by the more traditional boomerang. Other sights included a mini Eiffel tower and a Christ The Redeemer statue displayed on France and Brazil’s stands respectively. One feature from the 2024 event that returned for 2026 was the long queue for food at the stand for Nigeria!
In addition to the exhibition stands, visitors to the event took part in an interactive Multicultural quiz to test their knowledge of flags, capital cities, patron saints and the world’s biggest rivers!
The atmosphere in the hall was wonderful, helped in no small part by musical accompaniment from CeltAfrik, a musical quartet that performs a fusion of African and Irish music, led by Dr. John Nutekpor. Dr. Nutekpor is a performing arts teacher who regularly visits the school to give music lessons to groups of pupils.
Hundreds of people came into the school hall to sample the sights, sounds and tastes of the various countries and cultures. It was fantastic to see many people from around the town, including past pupils and their parents, coming together to celebrate our diversity as well as the things that we all love and have in common.
