Taking a walk down memory lane with the historical society
By Brendan Grehan
THE WINTRY cold and rain did not deter a good crowd of 30 who attended The Society for Old Lucan’s historical walk recently. The walk was led by Darren Tully.
The group started at King John’s Bridge in Griffeen Park, which is reputed to be the oldest bridge in Ireland and dates from 1210.
People taking part in the Old Lucan historical walk
From there it was onto the 11th Century St Finian’s Church, which was the victim of some nasty graffiti last year.
Helen Farrell from the SOL told The Echo: “South Dublin County Council have done a great job in removing the graffiti. They have also laid down paving stones at the entrance.”
At the back of Old Lucan Cemetery, the walk took on a sombre tone as the group visited the plot of the Holy Innocents where unbaptised babies were buried in the 19th Century.
They then visited historic Cannonbrook Lodge, the old gatehouse to James Gandon’s home, Cannonbrook, which is now in private ownership.
The group then made their way to Griffeen where they looked on the site of an 18th Century Cotton Mill.
From there they adjourned to Lucan Library for cake and tea/coffee.
Ms Farrell added: Heartfelt thanks to Lucan Library for partnering with us for the event and very generously providing those welcome refreshments and use of the room, after the walk.
“It was wonderful to see people from all backgrounds, young and old, talking history and sharing stories. We had six different nationalities on the walk. It was nice to get such a mix.”
In a nice postscript, one of the walkers, Catherine Kelly, mentioned that her great grandparents were buried in the old graveyard. On Sunday, the day after the walk she went back to the graveyard.
She told The Echo: “On Saturday, I couldn’t find the headstone. But on Sunday I went back and straight away I found it. John and Ellen Conway. John was buried 23/09/1915 and his wife Ellen 12/05/1936.”
The SOL are planning their next walk for Wednesday, February 6.
