I am planning a 2 week trip this summer and will make a stop in both of these areas as my family is from here. Wondering if anyone has traveled to either location in the past and could provide recommendations on visiting. Unfortunately, I do not have any family currently living here so asking for help from the community. Thank you.
Posted by
TX, USA
5935 posts
Back in 2019, I spent a couple of nights in Gort at the Lady Gregory Hotel. We used it as a base for the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher for a full day of driving. Coole Park made a relaxing couple of hours with a nice walk. The autograph tree there has the (carved by them) initials of some well-known literary figures, like WB Yeats and George Bernard Shaw.
In 2024, I drove through Kilrush but didn’t stay (or even stop).
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1641 posts
I can't offer advice specific to these towns, but find out as much as you can before you the trip, such as where your people are buried, where they lived, what church they attended and whether that church still exists and has records, whether online or just on paper. I would also encourage you to stay in or as near as possible to the places you identify. I'm assuming you will have a car, but if you don't, figure out the closest town with taxi service. Enjoy!
Posted by
Montana, USA
6 posts
I traveled to Gort in 2023 to visit ruins connected to the O’Shaughnessy family. Approx. 10 minutes west of Gort is a wonderful ruins, Kilmacduagh Abbey and Church w/ cemetery, which includes a side chapel named after the O’Shaughnessy’s. There is also a faint carving of the family crest in the chapel. You actually procure the keys to the gates and doors from the farmer across the street (there’s a sign). The sign mentions a 5 euro fee, but he waved it (he was working his cows). There are 3 different sites to visit within the field. There are placards near the entrance / parking lot explaining the history. It was very moving for me to see O’Shaughnessy names in the cemetery. I locked the gates and doors after I left and placed the key under the farmers’ mat. If you happen to be an O’Shaughnessy, I discovered two castle ruins in the area also attributed to them. Hoping for Irish luck on your family search.
Here is a link to a YouTube video on Kilmacduah Abbey and the O’Shaughnessy Chapel (only 75 views in 4 years).