KILRUSH  , a seaport and watering-

place of county Clare, Ireland, in the west parliamentary division, on the north shore of the Shannon estuary 45 in. below Limerick . Pop. of urban district (Igor), 4179 . It is the terminus of a branch of the West Clare railway . The only seaport of importance in the county, it has a considerable export trade in peat fuel, extensive fisheries, and flagstone quarries; while general fairs, horse fairs and annual agricultural shows are held . The inner harbour admits only small vessels, but there is a good pier a mile south of the town . Off the harbour lies Scattery Island (Inis Cathaigh), where St Senan (d . 544) founded a monastery . There are the remains of his oratory and house and of seven rude churches or chapels, together with a round tower and a holy well still in repute . The island also received the epithet of Holy, and was a favourite burial-ground until modern times .