Oileán Restaurant is at the centre of a resurgent Kilrush hospitality scene at the epicentre of West Clare.
The family-run bar & restaurant was opened in March, 2024 by Megan Nolan and her partner David. Kilrush native Megan describes Oileán as a deeply personal homecoming.
Reflecting on her family’s multi-generational business roots in Kilrush, she notes, “My whole family have been from there and owned businesses, I suppose, for the last 50 or 60 years”.
“My parents owned a place called the Island House which is actually directly beside where Oileán is now. So it’s where I grew up as well which is quite nice.”
Both founders are chefs – Megan’s background in Italian cuisine and David’s background in Asian food result in “fusion kind of dishes but using the best of Irish ingredients”. Their commitment to local suppliers is central to their mission. “That was our intention from the start, to make sure that we’re highlighting producers in Clare, producers in Ireland. We’re so lucky to be honest, as a small island we have the best produce in the world.” 
“It’s food that we love to eat, it’s comforting. It’s different,” she notes. This local focus extends to everything they serve, using “local ingredients” including meat from Kelly’s butchers in Kilrush and spirits from JJ Corry whiskey, based in Cooraclare.
They pair these high-quality ingredients with a completely relaxed atmosphere: “It’s very casual dining, I would say, but top class food. That’s what Oileán is at its best.”
Megan is extremely proud of Kilrush’s revival, observing that “Kilrush is so vibrant. It’s got so much to offer. There’s so many new places open. It’s exciting”. Rather than fearing competition from other new local businesses, she welcomes it as a way to keep the town sharp: “the more places open, I think the better it is for the town because not only does it make you want to improve and to keep going and to be better… it also makes the customers have choice, which is so important.”
Speaking ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Clare last week, Megan said visitors to to West Clare during the Irish Open would be most taken Kilrush’s warmth. “I think every shop you go into, you’re going to be greeted with a smile. I think Kilrush has so many good people that I think that’s what will surprise a lot of visitors is the friendliness and the community that we have.”
Megan and David designed Oileán to be a cornerstone of local life. Their primary ambition is “to create a community space”. They love being a part of major life milestones, recently even hosting small weddings. Megan explains that being chosen for these celebrations is incredibly meaningful and its a market that Oileán are excited to cater to, whether it’s birthdays, communions, or any family celebration.
Recommendations for Visitors
For those visiting the area, Megan suggests exploring the coastal beauty of Kilkee and the surrounding waters. She recommends: “Go to Kilkee, do the cliff walk, maybe do a bit of fishing on Cappa Pier. Scattery Island tours here in Kilrush are beautiful and the dolphin watching tours are amazing.”
Her top piece of advice for tourists?
“As long as you have sea legs, I think going out a boat trip in the morning will be a good way to set yourself up for the day ahead.”
