IMPORTANT NOTICE to EMAILERS!
When emailing reports for publication in Lucan Newsletter, please make sure to send them to at least two email addresses
Mary – Community / Schools / Local History
marylucannewsletter@gmail.com
Rose – Sports / Politics
roselucannewsletter@gmail.com
Anna – Parish Notes / Fundraising
annalucannewsletter@gmail.com
Please Note:
All items submitted for publication in Lucan Newsletter must have a contact person/number – address or phone number – not necessarily for publication.
Articles without such will not be published.
Lucan Senior Citizens
Our Senior Citizens Club starts back on Wednesday 10th September, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Looking forward to seeing all our members back safe and well. New members are always welcome!
Lucan U3A
Lucan U3A are reopening on September 8th.
1. We meet in Ballyowen Castle on the second Monday of each month at 2pm. Bus L54 from the Village.
2. We meet for coffee and a chat at 11am on the 1st Tuesday each month, in Reeds on the River.
3. We have an outing on the last Thursday of the month to a wide variety of destinations.
New members are very welcome, so do come and join us.
Further information: 086 8097038
Lucan Active Retirement Association
We re-open on Thursday 4th September. Hope you all had a great summer break and enjoyed the good weather. Hope to see everyone back again and in good health.
New Members always welcome! Why not come and join us, we would love to see you there, Lots of activities to enjoy. Bowls, Scrabble, Cards, Choir, and the chat.
Most importantly we have Coffee & Cake at 1pm.
We meet in St. Andrew's Parish Centre, Main Street, Lucan, on Thursdays at 11.30am.
Lucan Toastmasters
Lucan Toastmasters is a friendly, vibrant club which offers a safe environment to develop public speaking and communication skills. Our next meeting is on Thursday 4th September at 7:45pm at the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip and guests are most welcome to join us. Come along on the night or contact vpmlucantoastmasters@gmail.com to register your interest.
Thursday 4th September 2025, 7:45pm
Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, W23 W280
Do you want to finally conquer your fear of public speaking?
Do you have a speech or presentation coming up that you need help with?
Do you want to make new friends?
If so, then Lucan Toastmasters is the place for you.
We meet two Thursdays of each month in the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip at 7.45 p.m. Admission is free for new guests – don’t worry, you won’t be asked to speak! Come along on Thursday next, September 4th, where a warm welcome awaits you.
For further details, follow Lucan Toastmasters on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn or contact vpmlucantoastmasters@gmail.com
Esker Active Retirement Association
Our July day trip was a great success, with 50 members enjoying the K2 alpaca experience in Newtownmountkennedy Co Wicklow.
We got to pet and feed the alpacas, which was great fun, they love their food, not a bit shy about pushing each other out of the way to eat out of our hands.
We then got back on our coach to Mt Usher gardens, where we had lunch and a tour of the lovely gardens.
Anam Cara
Anam Cara, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, will hold its monthly Parent Support Evening on Monday 8th September at 7.30pm in the Maldron Hotel, Whitestown Way, Tallaght.
This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or how recent their death was. You do not need to register in advance.
We also offer an online support group meeting. To find out more call 01 4045378 or email info@anamcara.ie
Celbridge Camera Club
2025 is the year that Celbridge Camera Club is celebrating their 40th anniversary.
The club began in 1985 and during that time photography has evolved from purely film, then to digital and now a mixture of both. Nowadays everyone carries a camera with them in the form of a smartphone. Social Media has opened many peoples’ eyes to photography and of course the taking of better images. CCC has also evolved over that 40 years but still strives to promote, foster and encourage photography by providing facilities to help people of all skill levels to reach their full potential.
We begin a new season of activity on 8th September in the Slip Hall, Celbridge at 8pm and new members are always welcome!
For detailed information about club activities such as the Beginners Course, please check out our Welcome Page on www.celbridgecameraclub.net
Palmerstown Camera Club
If you’re looking for a new hobby or fancy yourself as a budding photographer, Palmerstown Camera Club is the place for you. we are starting back Wednesday the 10th of September at 8pm to 10 pm, and every Wednesday night after. We are also holding a photographic competition and first prize is free membership for the year. To enter the competition just sent your images to competitionpcc@gmail.com with your name and you have to be 18 years or older to enter.
Please have your images in before the 28th of August. Good look to everyone who enters. Also included in your membership is a free beginners course which is run by one of our own advanced members.
Palmerstown Camera Club is moving into its 17th year running in the Parish Centre in Palmerstown Village. We have guest speakers, workshops, monthly inter league competitions, day and weekend trips away, we also have an end of year exhibition so anyone can come and see the amazing photos that are produced during the year. Meet new friends and maybe some old friends. Our club members are always willing to help you in your photography journey no matter what stage you are at. Oh, and there is tea coffee and biscuits after every meeting.
Follow us on Facebook and histogram to see some fantastic images and what we get up to.
Website: www.Palmerstowncameraclub.com
Women’s Collective Ireland – Lucan
Registration Morning – Wednesday, 3rd September 2025
Welcome back after a lovely summer! We’re delighted to open our doors again and start a new term together. Over the break, we hosted a Pink Coffee Morning in support of Breast Cancer Ireland and are proud to share that we raised €465 thanks to the generosity of our participants and community.
Women’s Collective Ireland Lucan invites you to our Registration Morning on Wednesday, 3rd September at Ballyowen Community Centre, Lucan. Come along, meet the team, and sign up for our new term of courses, workshops, and social groups.
This term we are offering:
HERStory: Our Stage – Creative Writing Workshops
STEM Passport for Inclusion (Level 6, NUI Maynooth)
Conversation Club – an interactive space for women to practice their English
Mixed Arts & Crafts
Restorative Yoga for Beginners
Restorative Yoga – Intermediate
Crafty Byrds: DIY Household Skills
Special Events this Term:
Everyday Eco Living: A Sustainability Masterclass – Wednesday, 17th September.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Masterclass – October just before midterm
Contact Details: Ballyowen Community Centre, Ballyowen Ln, Lucan, Co. Dublin, K78 N263
Phone: 083 860 7947
Email: lucan@womenscollective.ie
Website: www.womenscollective.ie
Women supporting women, always.
SOCIETY FOR OLD LUCAN (SOL)
SOL is the local history group for Lucan; open to everyone.
Free to join - email OldLucan@gmail.com to be added to our members’ mailing list where full details of projects are shared.
Facebook group; “Society for Old Lucan (SOL)” & X: @Soc4OldLucan.
Website: https://soc4oldlucan.wordpress.com/
Exciting New Technology! (PB)
As part of our project to bring new technology and history together we have now managed to enter the world of 3D viewing. This is done by using a 360-degree camera and then can be uploaded to the internet and viewed on a phone or computer. For a more realistic view it can be also viewed on a VR headset.
We have tested this out in Lucan house recently with great success. This also means that people who might not be able to visit the house for various reasons will be able to experience the same views as house visitors. We are hoping to roll this out in the future in Lucan house with SDCC and possibility to other locations around Lucan, so please keep an eye out on our Facebook page for this future project along with our other projects.
Please follow the links below to see our recent testing in Lucan House: https://youtu.be/ro2tNDBqw7o
https://youtu.be/A888TopwLQo
https://youtu.be/LED83M98pE4
https://youtu.be/k89qMYHj7DU
Let us know what you think by email to OldLucan@gmail.com with suggestions or questions?
Lucan House Tours (PB)
So far this year SOL have had a very successful year running tours in Lucan House, demesne, and a few tours of the interior of the house. These were open to members through Eventbrite bookings. We ran the tours over weekends and mid-week to accommodate everyone. These booked out very quickly and we hope to continue the tours going forward.
We had a lot of interest from local groups and other groups from outside of Lucan for tours, so if anyone has a group, or Schools as they start the new term, that are interested in doing a tour please contact us through our email Oldlucan@gmail.com
Dating the Esker Rood: A Slight Setback (HF)
In our last SOL newsletter we told you of our plans to carry out Carbon -14 dating of the unique “Esker Rood” (a special, forward-leaning crucifix figure of Christ that would have been common in all medieval churches, but were destroyed in practically all during the 16-17th centuries in Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland) that hangs in St. Patrick’s, Esker, Lucan. Dr. Ellen O’Carroll, archaeological wood expert, with the kind permission of Fr. Curran, St. Patrick’s Church, Esker carried out sampling in May earlier this year.
Queen’s University, Belfast carry out a pre-sampling analysis of the wood samples. It is confirmed as oak. The bad news, however, is that the sample was too small (2mm) in size and contaminated with modern varnish to yield a dependable result. Dr. O’Carroll confirmed that she is happy to visit again to re-sample the rood but we need to get permission from the new Parish Priest for this. Hopefully we will have further updates for you in the coming months, as if this is medieval, it is the only survivor from the whole of Ireland.
Research Group Update (HF)
Thanks to Lucan Library, and with especial support from Dave Power, Lucan Library, the newish SOL Research Group met to discuss what local research we could carry out. It was decided by the group that we would focus on researching small snippets to make up an updated Lucan Heritage Trail to eventually go on our website and link in with QR codes around the village and surrounds.
We will meet on the following Saturdays, 10am – 11.30am if you want to join us: 30th August, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November.
We have set up a WhatsApp group which is nice, as everyone can ask questions and discuss and share material as we go along. I have contacted SDCC Tourism section, and they are interested in linking in with us to promote the trail in months to come.
Make sure to meet us as part of Lucan Festival 2025 2nd – 7th September, on Saturday 6th September in Lucan Demesne . SOL will have a stand that Saturday with some of our information, SOL prints and merchandise, and we hope to see you there.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Craobh Leamhcáin CCÉ Lucan
Traditional Irish Music
Calling all budding musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts!
Join us at Lucan Comhaltas' registration night on Tuesday, Sept 9th at 6pm in Coláiste Cois Life, Castle Road Lucan!
Whether you're a seasoned musician, a budding dancer/musician, or just starting out, all are welcome to come along and register for the new season.
Meet our teachers, learn about our classes and activities, and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of traditional Irish music, song and dance!
Date: Tuesday, September 9th
Time: 6pm
Location: Coláiste Cois Life
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information on classes and instruments
Email: lucan@comhaltas.net
www.lucancomhaltas.ie
Ballyowen Castle Community Centre
Email: info@ballyowencommunitycentre.ie
Telephone: 01 253 6105 or 085 867 1245
Follow us on Facebook (Ballyowen Castle Community Centre) or on Instagram (ballyowen_community_centre)
Volunteers: As the centre is growing, we are looking for the help of locals. If you have some spare time and would like to volunteer at some of our events please get in touch.
Room booking: Would you like to book a room in the centre for a meeting or a group activity? We have some availability and offer competitive rates. Email us to make a booking.
Adult Education
The Adult Education Service in Lucan Education Centre, on Esker Hill are currently enrolling for free and flexible part-time courses commencing in September 2025. The Return to Education Programme courses are at times to allow you to choose between one and four different subjects to fit around your busy life. Each subject is 4 hours, 1 morning per week. This can lead to QQI qualification.
The following subjects are available this term:
Spanish for Beginners
Introduction to Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheets)
Career Preparation / CV and Interview Skills
Business English Language Skills
Data Entry – Improving Keyboard Skills
Office Skills
Business Administration
Word Processing (Advanced)
Social Studies (Introduction to Sociology)
Payroll Using Sage Software
For more details, contact lorrainekavanagh@ddletbaes.ie or call 01 6283557
Lucan Citizens Information Centre
Our telephone number is 0818 07 5090
www.citizensinformation.ie
Email lucan@citinfo.ie
Our office is located in the Ballyowen Castle Youth and Community Centre, Ballyowen, Lucan
Opening hours:
Walk-ins to see an Information Officer
Tuesday: 10am - 12pm and 2pm to 4 pm
Wednesday: None
Thursday: 10am – 12pm and 2pm to 4 pm
Reception open*
Tuesday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Wednesday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Thursday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
We are closed on Mondays and Fridays.
Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 8pm on 0818 07 4000
MABS – the Money Advice and Budgeting Service is the State's money advice service, guiding people through dealing with problem debt for over 20 years. MABS phone service is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm on 0818 07 2000
Age Action for all Older People
Age Action are offering five hours tutoring, remotely, to anyone who needs support using their smartphone, tablet or laptop. Covering topics like how to set up an email, how to download an app, how to use video calling to see your loved ones etc.
For more information, please call 01 4756989 or email gettingstarted@ageaction.ie
ALONE
Older people need your support!
ALONE is recruiting volunteers to provide companionship and support through their Telephone Support & Befriending service for older people.
ALONE asks that interested volunteers commit to one set shift of 2 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months.
Visit alone.ie/volunteers for more information.
Lucan Newsletter Sales Outlets
Lucan Village
Collins Butchers, Main Street
Lynchs / Centra
Ballyowen / Ballydowd area
Texaco Service Station
Eurospar
Esker area
Spar Finnstown
Dodsboro area
Spar Dodsboro
Churches
St. Mary’s Church, Lucan
St. Patrick’s, Esker
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