Kilrush and West Clare
The farmhouse is in a very picturesque and quiet location at the shores of the Shannon Estuary near Kilrush, Co.Clare, Ireland.
The house is overlooking historic Scattery Island on the Shannon Estuary and the Kerry hills beyond it. There are daily boat trips from Kilrush Marina to the Island. The very quiet and more or less traffic free coast road in front of the house is perfect for walks. You'll frequently see bottleneck dolphins passing by coal ships on the way to Foyne, near Limerick.
Kilrush (translated: Church of the promontory or wood) is a busy market and heritage town with access to the Shannon River. One of the most interesting attractions is Scattery Island, which can also be reached by a boat from the marina. It has been an ecclesiastical centre since early times. A monastery, reputedly founded there by St Senan in the sixth century, suffered under the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries and was largely destroyed in Tudor times. Scattery Island has also served as a harbour for the Spanish Armada and as a defense outpost for the English government. Various ruins on the Island tell about its interesting history, the visitor centre is open in season.
Kilrush Woods occupies 170 hectares east of the town and was formerly the Vandeleur Demesne. The wood contains beautiful, mature trees planted in the 18th century. The revived Vandeleur Walled Garden specialises in sub-tropical and southern hemisphere plants. The Visitor Center in Kilrush has the "Kilrush in Landlord Times" exhibition.
Kilrush was once one of the two terminals of the West Clare Railway coming from Ennis, the neighbouring town of Kilkee being the other. The railway closed in 1961 but a short section of the railway has been re-opened at Moyasta as a tourist attraction. One of the original steam engines on the route, the Slieve Callan has been restored.
Kilrush also hosts a number of traditional Irish Pubs with traditional music sessions all year round. The town is the ideal place to explore the West Clare region which is well known for the hospitality of its people. You'll find all the activities and information about the West of County Clare here.
Aylevarro B&B = red marker.
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