The plant grows in the Liffey Valley and surrounds, as recorded in the 1837 Ainmleabhar Paróiste, reported by Jackson (1914).

[4] In 1615, the area was described as 'a marshy place'...[5] The alternative meaning is derived from the Irish for elm, leamhán, and has been more popularised, although both definitions could be equally valid, with both mallows and elms still growing in the Lucan area, and etymological experts unable to definitively choose one meaning over the other, as is evidenced on logainm.ie.

There is evidence of prehistoric settlement in Lucan as the features that attracted early people such as river access, fishing, well-drained soil and hunting were all around.

In the area around Vesey Park, there are remains of a hillfort (Knockanardousk "hill of the high water")[6] that may have been the house and enclosure of an early lord of Lucan in medieval times.

This enclosure also contained a souterrain, excavated in the 18th century by George Petrie and of which, some of the finds are in the National Museum of Ireland.

Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Jacobite leader, was born in the castle that had occupied the manor grounds and was granted the title Earl of Lucan by James II.

The discovery of a sulphurous spa in Lucan in 1758 brought the district into prominence, and it became a destination for weekend parties from Dublin and the surrounding countryside.

[18]: 4, 5, 20, 33 Lucan village is located north of the N4/M4 national primary route to the west and northwest of Ireland.

An outer-orbital distributor called the Outer Ring Road, designated as R136, from the N4 (Woodies) interchange to the N81 Tallaght Bypass, was completed in 2008.

The greenfield development of the Lucan townlands as a major residential area was predicated on the prime location between the motorways and railways.

Adamstown railway station re-opened in 2007 to serve the area; it is located south of Finnstown, Lucan.

This station will also service significant further developments planned to the south of Adamstown townlands and the south/southwest commuter line.

[24] The bridge is situated in quiet parkland and crosses the narrow Griffeen River; it is sited close to the ruins of Old Esker Church.

[26] South Dublin County Council have proposed €20,000 be made available to carry out conservation work on the bridge to make it a more prominent historical landmark.

The most important area on the river is the wet woodland containing the most extensive fern and bryophyte growth recorded in the five parks surveyed.

The Lucan Shopping Centre includes SuperValu, Dunnes Store, Peter Mark, and McDonald's, along with a Community Library.

Pieta House is a charity, set up by psychologist Joan Freeman, to provide assistance to people experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts.

Lucan Sarsfields, the largest sports organisation in the town, was founded in 1886 and is located on the 12th Lock on the Grand Canal.

An Irish-language GAA club, Na Gaeil Óga CLG, started their juvenile structure in the area in September 2014 and is currently based in Gaelscoileanna and a Gaelcholáiste in the area, Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada and Coláiste Cois Life.

There are 13 (9 girls & 10 boys) underage basketball teams competing in the Dublin Area Board League and Cup competitions.

[citation needed] In September 2013, Lucan Village claimed the South Dublin title in the Tidy Towns competition.