(church of the hermitage).Some 22 km south-west of Ennis, the site is named after
St. Murthaile who had a hermitage there. The remains of a medieval
parish church with dwelling-tower can be seen.
There are a number of islands in the Fergus Estuary
including Inis Gad, or Canon Island. It has a ruined, early 13th
century priory (St. Mary's) of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine,
founded by King Donal Mor 0'Brien of Limerick. The remains comprise of
a church, cloisters, kitchen and refectory, with dormitory overhead.
(Sheedy's - or Silken Bed)
The Martello tower at the end of the peninsula guarded the approaches
to the Shannon estuary during the Napoleonic wars.
(Cill Iomair - Church of St. lomar)
St. Iomar was a contemporary of St. Senan of Scattery Island (6th century).
The village has a holy well and flagstone connected with the saint.
Killimer is the terminal for the car ferry linking Clare with Tarbert in Co.
Kerry. There are over 30 sailings a day in the summer and the crossing takes just 20 minutes.
The churchyard contains the grave of Ellen Hanley, the Colleen Ban
of Gerald Griffin's novel, Boucicault's play and Benedict's opera and
The lily of Killarney. She was tradgically murdered by her jealous
husband, John Scanlon, who disposed of her body in the Shannon. Her
grave is marked by a monument erected by a teacher, Peter O'Connell,
who found her body and shares her grave.
(Church of the promontory or wood)
A busy market town with access to the Shannon.
The Shannon Estuary has pods of up to 100 young Bottle Nose Dolphins. Dolphin watch trips operate daily
from Kilrush Marina, giving visitors a chance to observe the charming antics of these curious and playful animals.
Kilrush is a noted sailing centre with its 120 berth Marina and boatyard. Kilrush Creek Adventure Centre besides the marina
is a mulity - activity centre offering sailing, windsurfing, archery and much more.
Other activities available include a Heritage walk through the town and golf; the 18-hole championship golf course
is described as 'the friendliest club in Ireland' whilst Carrig Donn Pitch N' Putt & Shepherd's Cave offers
pitch n' putt and crazy golf in a miniature ancient monument style.
Kilrush Wood, formerly the Vandeleur Demesne, occupies 420 hectares east of the town. The wood contains
beautiful, mature trees planted in the 18th century. The revived Vandeleur Walled Garden specialises in
many unusual and tender plants that thrive in the area's uniquely western latitude microclimate. Areas
for the visitors pleasure include the unusual water features, an impressive tree collection and a horizontal maze.
The Town Hall houses a heritage exhibition, "Kilrush in Landlord Times"; an eciting audio visual inperpretation of the Famine and the
role of the Vandeleur Family in the development of Kilrush.
Another interesting attraction is the Scattery Island Visitor Center & Dolphin/Wildlife Display.
The exhibition details the natural & cultural history of Scattery Island and also includes a dolphin and marine wildlife display.
The town has a noticeable memorial to the Manchester martyrs of 1867,
constructed by J. K. Bracken of Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Bracken was
father of Brendan (later Lord) Bracken, friend of Winston Churchill
nd a member of his wartime Cabinet.
The pubs and streets of Kilrush come alive for the 2 summertime festivals; the Shannon Dolphin Festival in July
and Éigse Mrs. Crotty, a traditional music weekend in August.
(Inis Cathaigh)
Only 2.5 km from the mainland, the island is easily reached from Cappagh Pier in Kilrush.
St. Senan founded a monastery in the 6th century, which did not survive the
9th and 10th century Viking raids intacted. The Legendary Brian Boru later recaptured the
island following a century of Viking occupation. The remains include a unique 10th century round tower
with an entrance at ground level and the ruins of seven churches and a village.
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