Kilrush.ie

Knitting and Craft Club at Kilrush Library
2025-10-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-16 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/Dublin) | Kilrush Library, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 W577
The knitting & craft group meet in the library every Tuesday evening and share their crafty tips and patterns. Free event, all welcome.

Kilrush Library Uplifting Poetry Sessions
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Kilrush Library, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 W577
Free sessions for poets and poetry lovers, on the first and second Tuesday of every month at Kilrush Library. Come to read your own poetry or to share a favourite poem by another writer.

Weekly Woodland Walk with West Clare Mental Health Association
2025-10-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Vandeleur Gardens and Visitor Centre, Feagarroge, Kilrush, V15 E735
Join us for a group walk around Vandeleur Woods and Gardens.

Mermaids and Buoys, Cappagh
2025-10-05 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-28 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-21 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-14 09:00 - 10:30
Open water swimming, with a big meetup every Sunday and sea swims at other times throughout the week. Further details 086 8339347

Vandeleur Parkrun
2025-10-04 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-27 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-20 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-13 09:30 - 11:30 | Vandeleur Gardens and Visitor Centre, Feagarroge, Kilrush, V15 E735
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!

Kilrush Art Group
2025-10-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-26 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-12 19:00 - 20:00 | West Clare Family Resource Centre / Kilrush Community Centre, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 VK31, Ireland
Monthly art classes with Pauline Dunleavy also available. For further details contact Pauline on 086 8339347

Ceoil agus Tae
2025-10-03 11:00 - 12:00 | West Clare Family Resource Centre / Kilrush Community Centre, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 VK31, Ireland
Bookings; 065 905 2173

Monthly Birthday Party
2025-10-02 14:30 - 16:00 | West Clare Family Resource Centre / Kilrush Community Centre, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 VK31, Ireland
A celebration for everyone who has their birthday this month!

Kilrush Farmer's Market
2025-10-02 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-25 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-18 09:00 - 14:00 | The Square, Kilrush, The Square, Kilrush, Co. Clare
Support local businesses by shopping the Kilrush Farmer’s Market. Held every Thursday from 9am-2pm.

Wednesday Book Club for Children
2025-10-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Kilrush Library, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, V15 W577
Our monthly book clubs are ideal for children who would like to read exciting new books and to discuss or listen to others’ opinions about the books. This book club is suitable for children aged 8 – 12 years.
Contact: Frances Pender (065) 905 1504 kilrush@clarelibrary.ie

Book Launch - 'Forgotten Lives' with Rita McCarthy
2025-09-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Banner Books, 1a, Hector Street Mills, Kilrush, V15 PW83
In 1922, the County Clare Nursery, a state-supported mother and baby home for County Clare, was opened in part of Kilrush Workhouse. For the ten years of its existence it was owned and funded by Clare County Council. For the first six years it was managed by the Sisters of Mercy and thereafter by lay staff.
Rita McCarthy, a social historian, extensively researched original archives, newspaper reports and oral histories to recount the story of this unique institution, placing it in the historical context of how unmarried mothers and illegitimate children were treated in Irish society. Conditions in the Nursery were inhumane and the death rate of babies was described by the doctor in charge as ‘appalling’. Yet this is also a story of good people trying to do their best to help the women and children.
McCarthy offers an insight into the characters of the women from all parts of County Clare who spent time in the institution. Interviews with a survivor and descendants of some of the women recount life after the County Nursery.
This book ensures that the County Clare mother and baby home, and the women and children who were unfortunate enough to spend time within its walls, will not be forgotten.
Forgotten Lives was published by Banner Books in August 2025.After the huge success of her launch at De Valera library, Ennis last month, Rita will be holding her local launch with a talk, readings and a visit to the Kilrush memorial for the mothers and babies of the County Nursery.

Ger Wolfe and Peter Miller - Cosy Concert
2025-09-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Banner Books, 1a, Hector Street Mills, Kilrush, V15 PW83
A Cosy Concert with Cork singer-songwriter Ger Wolfe and acclaimed Australian guitarist Peter Miller.
These intimate acoustic concerts give audiences an opportunity to really connect with the performers, immersing themselves in the music in an atmosphere of warmth and companionship.
“Ger Wolfe is the Dylan Thomas of Cork in the singular sincerity and purity of his words” (Seán Mac Carthy)
“Peter Miller’s music paints pictures in the air of the wonders of our planet, the joy of life and the emotions most of us find hard to describe” – Charlie McGettigan
Together, Ger and Peter will lead you on a journey through moving lyrics, haunting melodies and more than a little magic.
Drawing from the wells of traditional and contemporary folk, Ger Wolfe continues to be a gentle and consistent voice on the Irish folk-roots scene, delivering his own unique songwork, all at once lyrical, melodic and poetic.
A multi-instrumentalist, accomplished singer-songwriter and no stranger to traditional song, Ger begins his third decade of touring and recording with a new album- “Songs from Freeman’s Ballyvourney Collection”, his tenth full album to date. The collection, brought back to the people of Múscraí Gaeltacht by Seán Ó’ Riada in the 1960’s, was made by A.M. Freeman in 1913-14 and is one of our most important collections of traditional song containing gems like the well-known ‘Aisling Geal’.

Prepare to be bedazzled by his unmistakable voice and inimitable guitar playing, with songs like his well-loved ode to innocence ‘The Curra Road’ – ‘a classic of grace and simplicity which should become a folk standard’ (The Boston Globe), ‘The Lark Of Mayfield’, ‘Hello Gorgeous’ and of course old songs from the new album like ‘Réidh Cnoc Mná Duíbh’, ‘Aisling Geal’ and ‘Fáinnín Geal an Lae’ with a few tunes thrown in for good measure; a performance not to be missed…
Ger takes to the stage this September in a double bill along with the extraordinarily talented guitarist Peter Miller, coming all the way from Australia for a show that promises to be something special.
Peter Miller is an acclaimed Australian finger-style guitarist known for his delicate touch and melodic approach. With a career that has taken him across Ireland, Europe, Vietnam, and Japan, Peter has shared the stage with renowned musicians like John Spillane and Ger Wolfe, captivating audiences with his expressive performances.
His album Songs Without Words stands as a testament to his artistry, featuring collaborations with celebrated musicians such as flautist Sarah Calderwood and fiddle maestro Steve Wickham of The Waterboys. The album received widespread acclaim, and Peter has gone on to release seven full-length albums and ten singles.
His music has found its way to international audiences through film and television, with notable appearances on the cult UK series Skins and the Shania Twain documentary Why Not, produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network. Closer to home in South East Queensland, Peter is a familiar face at local venues and bars, where his performances continue to resonate with audiences.
Blending Celtic and folk influences, Peter Miller’s music is a journey of storytelling without words, a heartfelt expression of his passion and artistry.
Seating at our cosy venue is very limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets €15 available from https://banner-books.geektickets.ie/events/129766
TICKETS ON THE DOOR SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

Greene and Shine - Cosy Concert
2025-09-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Banner Books, 1a, Hector Street Mills, Kilrush, V15 PW83
A Cosy Concert with Greenshine’s Mary Greene and Noel Shine, at Banner Books, Kilrush.
These intimate acoustic concerts give audiences an opportunity to really connect with the performers, immersing themselves in the music in an atmosphere of warmth and companionship.
“Noel and Mary create an excellent interaction of voice & guitar work. Some of the most genuine music you’re likely to hear.” Pat Aherne, The Irish Examiner.
“Noel and Mary make music which is pure balm to the soul. When Mary’s voice soars, the true grace of her art leaves you speechless.” Peter Jowers, The Forester, Gloucester.
Noel Shine and Mary Greene have long been an important element of the Cork and national Folk and Americana scene. From Noel’s role as one of the founders of Cork Folk Festival, right through to the couple’s work alongside their daughter Ellie as RTE Folk Awards nominated band Greenshine, Noel and Mary have been a constant in the musical firmament.
Greene and Shine’s music straddles the boundaries of Folk, Indie and Americana with intertwining harmonies, skillful stringwork and fine songwriting, prompting RTE’s Sheelagh Dempsey to describe primary songwriter Mary Greene as “A songwriter like no other.”
Between them, Noel and Mary have lent their talents to the recordings of Christy Moore, Republic of Loose, Mick Hanly, Frances Black and John Spillane amongst many others, but it’s the quality of their musicianship which has garnered them the most accolades.

Noel is a wonderful multi-instrumentalist whilst Mary’s songwriting has propelled them to the No. 1 spot of the RTE Radio 1 playlist on several occasions most notably with her song ‘The Girl in the Lavender Dress’ not only reaching the top of the chart, but going on to be 2nd most played Irish track in the year of its release, while their debut album ‘The Land You Love The Best’ was placed in the top 3 Folk albums in The Irish Times.
Seating at our cosy venue is very limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets €15, available from Geek Tickets at https://banner-books.geektickets.ie/events/129752
TICKETS ON THE DOOR SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
