Talk on Hand Bells and Bell Ringing in the Early Irish Church

On Saturday 15 August at 2pm in Lusk Community Cultural Centre introduced by Christine Baker Fingal Heritage Officer, Archaeologist Cormac Bourke will give a talk on the medieval settlement in Lusk. Cormac is an expert in Irish medieval studies and author of the highly regarded book “Medieval Hand Bells of Ireland and Britain” The talk will focus on “Bells and bell ringing in the early Irish church” The talk will compliment the replica hand bell casting taking place at the same time.

The location is next to the iconic Lusk Round Tower, Norman Belfry and close to the inner wall of the Saint MacCullins monastic settlement.

There was a monastic settlement in Lusk since the early days of Christianity in Ireland. Saint Patrick himself would have visited the area as it was an important pre-Christian site. Saint MacCullin set up the monastic settlement and church which most likely was the first in Dublin. He was appointed the first bishop of Lusk in 450 AD. The Lusk monastery later became a very important Christian site in Dublin.

Historic hand bells or clog are historic early Christian relics produced from the 5th to 12th century. The hand bells would have been an important part of monastic life, used to mark monastic hours and call to prayer. The bells are also believed to have spiritual powers and used to ward off evil spirits.

Car parking available in the Cottage Community Centre, Church Road, Lusk K45 VE83