[10] In the 21st century, Rush is no longer a major centre of national horticulture and has instead evolved into a growing commuter town on the northern fringes of the Greater Dublin Area.

Rush lies on the Irish Sea coast, on the angle where the R128 regional road turns from running east–west from Lusk to go north–south to Skerries.

In 1744 a description of Rush by a traveller runs as follows: This town is near an English mile in length [and] lies upon a sandy bank.

The men are all employed by the fishing and smuggling trade...the quay lies eastward below the town, which is in [the] form of an L. The entrance is very dangerous from S.E.

[15]In November 1920, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) officer, Lieutenant John (or 'Jack') 'Rover' McCann, was shot by the Black and Tans after being taken from a house in Rush.

[16] On 29 April 1920 the Naul Battalion of the IRA attacked the Rush RIC Barracks which resulted in the death of a policeman.

[19] The land was acquired by Fingal County Council in 2016 and is of significant interest following the recovery of Romano-British artefacts, rarely found in Ireland.

[20] A range of finds was made in the course of a "community archaeology" dig along two trenches by the Martello Tower at the Iron Age site.

Artefacts such as a belt brace of the Royal Downshire militia and Royal Artillery brass buttons were found alongside fragments of wine glasses, clay pipes and a range of pottery and food particles, adding to the story of the Martello.”[21] Evidence of earlier activity was also recovered during the dig including shards of pottery which have their origins in the Roman era, and two decorated Iron Age combs.

Following a process of public consultation, the Drumanagh Conservation Study & Heritage Plan 2018-2023 contains accessible historical, archaeological, folkloric, and cartographic evidence.

The ruins of the original St. Maur's chapel lie in Whitestown cemetery, about a mile west of the centre of Rush.

Two miles north from the centre of Rush village lies a magnificent portico which is all that remains of Kenure House, a large mansion which had many acres of an estate around it.

[24] Rush was notorious for smuggling in the 18th century after the British imposed excise duties on a large number of goods.

He was arrested on 25 February 1789 and supposedly died in prison on 18 June 1789 aged 39 due to septicaemia during his imprisonment for failing to pay a debt of £200.

[28][27] Jack Connor was a popular Robin hood type figure who is mentioned in an old ballad:[29] The lover may sigh The courtier may lie And Croesus his treasure amass, All these joys are but vain They are blended with pain I'll stand behind Field and my glass Jack operated out of the "Smugglers Cave" between Loughshinny and Skerries.

Rush is home to 2 of the 29 Martello Towers in the Greater Dublin Area; they are on the headland near the North Beach and at Drumanagh, and were built in 1804 as a defence against Napoleon.

The prevailing winds and tides make Rush South Beach an extremely popular kitesurfing location while its sand and dunes attract many visitors.

Rush and Lusk railway station, opened on 25 May 1844,[36] is served by Commuter (formerly "Arrow") suburban trains between Dublin and Drogheda.

[37] Fingal Express is the privately owned, premium coach service from Skerries, Rush and Lusk to Dublin City Centre and UCD.