kilrush wood

Formerly the Vandeleur Demesne, occupies 170 hectares east of the town. The ruined Vandeleur House was demolished in 1973 and the site is now a car part and picnic area. Planted in the 18th century, the bulk of the wood consists of mature trees of great beauty. The town has a striking memorial to the Manchester martyrs of 1867, the work of J.K. Bracken of Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Bracken was father of Brendan (later Lord) Bracken, friend of Winston Churchill and a member of his war-time Cabinet.