Loughshinny & Rush Historical Society

The Loughshinny & Rush Historical Society was founded in 1989 to 'compile, research, record and correlate the history folklore and traditions of the Loughshinny and Rush area of North Fingal'. The society is very active and as well as monthly committee meetings arranges lectures by eminent speakers throughout the year and outings and field trips, which are open to everyone who wants to come along.


10th Anniversary 1999

A watchful eye is kept on all buildings, artefacts and areas of historical interest in the vicinity. Representations have been made to Duchas [The Heritage Service] and Fingal County Council regarding the Drumanagh promontory fort and the Lodge at Kenure Gates which is the last remaining remnant of the Kenure Estate. In the case of Drumanagh when the North Sea Gas Interconnector Pipeline came ashore representations were made to Bord Gais because of the proximity to the site. The committee was invited on a tour of inspection and assured that an archaeologist was employed to be on site during pipe laying. Regarding the Lodge the committee also met with the group which applied for planning permission to develop the building. Members of the society cleaned and restored St. Maurs Well on Spout Road. The society had the water pump replaced on Main Street Rush, unveiled a plaque in Whitestown Graveyard to the 19th century victims of cholera in the parish and was also involved in the erection of a plaque on the Echlin Tomb in the old graveyard in Lusk.

Information on local history has been researched and recorded and the society has several publications of talks given which have been made available to the public The historical information for the Loughshinny Millennium Walk was provided by the society and in 1995 a specially bound volume of local history was presented to President Mary Robinson when she came to officially open the Loughshinny Community Centre.

Lectures are held on the fourth Thursday of every month and outings [usually two or three a year] are notified to members and publicized locally. The outings for 2001 included a trip on a steam train on the narrow gauge railway at Dromad, Co. Leitrim and a boat trip on the Shannon-Erne Waterway at Ballinamore. The autumn trip, on the 16th September was to The Howth Transport Museum, The Casino, Marino and St. Doulagh's Church. A special Christmas celebration will also be arranged.

Membership of the society is open to everyone. The membership fee is £5 per annum. For further information contact the P.R.O. Kevin Thorp [Ph. +353 (01) 8438346].