This week the Heritage Council announced 7 heritage sites from around the country to be part of this year’s prestigious ‘Adopt a Monument’ programme, and for the first time in the history of the scheme, a monument from Dublin has been chosen. St. Finian’s, medieval church and graveyard, Esker, Lucan, was one of the 7 monuments chosen. St. Finian’s dates from the 11th century and was situated on the Slí Mhór (‘great highway’; the M50 of medieval times). This was a strategic site as it is immediately adjacent to one of the oldest standing bridges in Ireland, ‘King John’s Bridge’, dating to the late 12th/early 13th century. The medieval Royal Manor of Esker was also located in the area. The local history group who applied for the scheme ‘Society for Old Lucan (SOL)’ worked with the permission and support of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) who own the site.
“Being part of the Adopt a Monument Programme means having access to heritage and archaeological expertise for three years, as well as providing us with mentoring and support” said Helen Farrell, Chair of SOL. SOL feels that the mentoring will support SOL members and the community in conserving the site and carry out investigation and research, in line with best practice and in partnership with SDCC. Previous projects have cared for and conserved vulnerable monuments, as well as carrying out successful surveys and excavations. “This is a real breakthrough moment for history and heritage in the Lucan area, the potential of which has often been overlooked” said Helen Farrell, Chair of SOL. “We are extremely excited about sharing our project with SOL members, the wider community in Lucan, and heritage-visitors to the area”.
There are many unknowns about the site at St. Finian’s yet to find out; is the site really from the 11th century, or will advanced archaeological survey methods show that it dates back even further? In the 17th century the site is recorded as having an early ‘cross-slab’ and holy-well, and investigations could find the location of these missing features. The gravestone of the murdered priest, Fr. McCartan, brutally murdered in 1807 (the court case of his murderers followed avidly in the press of the day), is in St. Finian’s, but sadly only scattered fragments remain. Perhaps this project will assist SOL in locating the fragments and preserving them, and the story, for future generations. St. Finian’s still has a rich story to tell and being part of the Adopt a Monument scheme will help SOL share this with everyone.
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