04/08/2026
⛪ Tourism Tuesday: The Teach Ceoil 🎻
Welcome back to our Tourism Tuesday series, where we explore the fascinating places that make Kilrush such a special town. This week, we're taking a closer look at the Teach Ceoil on Grace Street.
Located close to the historic Vandeleur Estate, this former Church of Ireland was designed by architect Samuel Johnston and constructed in 1813. There’s no getting away from the old Church’s connection to the Vandeleur family, many of whom are buried in its graveyard. And while family left a significant mark on the town's development, from its Georgian streetscape to major infrastructure projects, they also left indelible scars… Kilrush’s history is deeply intertwined with the hardships of the Great Famine and the particular cruelty of the Vandeleur evictions.
Yet, the building itself remains an important part of Kilrush's architectural landscape. Inside, visitors can admire a number of beautifully crafted memorial sculptures connected to the Vandeleur family, beautiful architecture, and several lovely stained-glass windows, including:
✨ The Ascension, Baptism of Christ, and the Lord's Supper by Henry Hughes of Ward & Hughes (installed 1878)
✨ Sermon on the Mount, Moses and St Matthew (installed c.1917)
✨ The Last Judgement by Taylor & Clifton of London (installed c.1917)
Though it has a troubled past, the Teach Ceoil now benefits the community around it by acting as a place to amplify the beauty of Irish culture, playing host to traditional Irish music and dance performances, educational lectures, and events like the Kilrush Traditional Music and Set Dancing Festival. 🎶
While the building is not generally open to visitors during the day, opportunities to visit are available during special events throughout the year. It also sits near Turret Lane, which leads walkers into the beautiful Kilrush Woods, a scenic walking route, which winds its way to our own front gates. 🌳🌿
ℹ️ Information in this post was mostly derived from the County Clare Heritage Office website.
