Within the Kilrush town boundary is 420 acres of mixed woodland, formerly the Vandeleur Demesne. Now largely a Coillte owned and managed commercial plantation with an area, containing the Vandeleur Walled Garden, owned by Clare County Council. The demesne dates back to the 18th century under the auspices of Crofton Vandeleur.
The older deciduous woodland area, which is concentrated around the Vandeleur Walled Garden, is abundant with beech, sycamore, oak, lime, ash, alder, birch, elm and hazel. In the spring this area is a wonderful place to see Bluebells. The working woodland is conifer plantation, primarily Sitka Spruce, with some Norway Spruce, Larch and Lawson Cypress.
The woods provide an excellent habitat for birds such as the Wren, Jays, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and the elusive Tree-creeper. Bats forage amongst the vegetation and roost in the buildings and trees.
A butterfly and moth survey, carried out in Kilrush Wood by lepidopterist Ken Bond from UCC, identified 13 butterfly species and 54 moth species. One butterfly species, identified in Kilrush Wood, the Large White (Pieris brassicae) has been noted as being in strong decline by the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), also present in Kilrush Wood, are classed as being in moderate decline. Whilst the Cryptic Wood White (Leptidea juvernica) is a species whose only sighting in west Clare has been in Kilrush Wood.
This is a popular amenity area for walkers with extensive trails. It is currently the venue for a weekly Park Run.
There are several small areas of scrub (with Bramble, Whitethorn and Blackthorn) in and around the town that also provide habitat for wildlife. There are also many mature and young trees in Kilrush Town, which add wildlife value to the urban area.