Day Out in Kilrush

On a recent family trip, Kilrush in West Clare was voted great place for a family visit or school trip! First stop was the historic town itself, planned and built by the Vandelur family in the 1800s, who were the biggest landlords in the area.  Kilrush House was destroyed by fire in1897 and was demolished in the 1970s.  However, the Vandeleur Walled Garden, set in 420 acres of native woodland on the estate, has been beautifully restored and is a delight to visit.  The courtyard houses a selection of old farm machinery along with colourful plant displays and some garden games for children to play, including a living willow structure for playing follow the leader!

On our summer visit, the walled garden itself was a blaze of colour with unusual and tender plants.  The beech maze proved perfect for hide and seek for the children followed by finding butterflies on the butterfly trail, while the adults sat and enjoyed the sunshine.  For school groups, it is worth a look at The Vandeleur picture exhibition and heritage display “Kilrush in Landlord Times” in the visitor centre which gives information about the role of the Landords in the evictions of the mid 1800s and the effect this had on the surrounding area.  The café provided a welcome break before heading off to our next activity.  (065) 905 1760 www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie

If we had more time, we would have explored the surrounding Coillte woodlands at the Vandeleur estate but instead we went looking for Dolphins on the Dolphin Discovery!  Two-hour boat trips depart from Kilrush Creek Marina to see Ireland’s only resident group of bottlenose dolphins.  The trips are weather dependent so you need to phone in advance to check sailing times and book a space.  Our trip included a number family groups including one wheelchair user.  There is a roof over half the seating area but be prepared with warm clothing and raingear just in case!  After travelling for about 40 mins along the Shannon Estuary we encountered a number of separate groups of Dolphins that came close to the boat and everyone was delighted when some followed the boat on our return trip. The crew are respectful of the Dolphins and their habitat and there is a time limit for how long they can spend alongside these wonderful wild animals.  On our return, we were presented with a voucher for a tea/coffee in the Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Centre (adjacent to Kilrush Marina), a great educational experience for kids of all ages.  Of particular interest were the numerous skulls and skeletons of Dolphins and Whales that have been recovered from the surrounding coastline and the work done by researchers at the centre.  065 9051327 www.discoverdolphins.ie

Just off the coast of Kilrush is Scattery Island which is home to the ruins of a 6th century monastery, churches and one of the tallest and best preserved round towers in Ireland.  The Scattery Island ferry, departing from Kilrush Marina can take you there from Kilrush in 20 minutes. 065 9051327

Another attraction in the area is the West Clare Railway just outside Kilrush, which has been lovingly restored. One of the original West Clare Railway steam engines “The Sliabh Callan” has been brought back to it’s former glory is back on track providing steam train trips for families and school groups which combine fun and some history of the railway. For visitors staying in Kilkee, a Courtesy Coach is being laid on to bring passengers on the hour between 1pm and 5pm to the station from the car park close to the beach at the south end of Kilkee town. Steam Days are Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. Times: 12 pm to 5pm

Diesel Trains will operate on the other days. Times: 10am to 5 pm.  For information or to book a school group call 065 905 1284 or check the website www.westclarerailway.ie

For further information of what to see and do in Kilrush please contact Siobhán Garvey, Marketing & Development Officer, Kilrush Town Council Tel. 065 9051047 Email: kilrush@clarecoco.ie Web: www.kilrush.ie

If you have a review of somewhere you have visited and you would like it included here just email it to : webmgr@primarytimes.net