To homepage
To homepage

Bracken & Churchill

Kilrush, West Clare Connection

Wed 12th August 2026

Brendan Bracken: son of the Fenian rebel who built the Kilrush monument “Maid of Erin” or Winston Churchill’s secret son?

Brendan Bracken was born on Church Street, Templemore, County Tipperary, on 15th February 1901.

The Kilrush, West Clare connection is that his father, Joseph Kevin Bracken (1852 – 1904), better known as J. K. Bracken, was the sculptor who built the Maid of Erin monument in Frances Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare.

J. K. Bracken was also a prominent Fenian Rebel and one of the seven founders of the GAA, at Hayes’ Hotel, Thurles, in November 1884.

His son, Brendan, became so close to Winston Churchill that many believed he was Churchill’s son. It was thanks to Brendan’s intervention that Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940.

Subsequently, Brendan Bracken was appointed Minister for Information in Churchill’s Wartime Cabinet.

When he retired from politics, Bracken was appointed to the House of Lords, as Viscount Bracken of Christchurch.

speaker
Brian Comerford
date
Wed 12th August 2026
time
8:00 PM
location
Cultúrlann Sweeney,
O’Connell St.,
Kilkee V15 P960
admission
Free

About the speaker

Brian Comerford

Since retirement, Brian Comerford has concentrated on acting and writing. He has made appearances on stage and screen, including a cameo role in the mini-series “Rebellion” (2016).

Brian has written award-winning short stories; stage plays and screenplays. Recently, his short stories were published in “Ireland’s Own” in March and July of this year, (2026).

Upcoming events featuring Brian Comerford’s work include:

  • Oakhill Players present “Pint Sized Plays” in Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee from 21st to 23rd August 2026. Prize-winners’ night on Sunday, 23rd August at 8 pm features “Passport ” written by Brian Comerford and directed by Mary J. Egan, Doonbeg.
  • On Saturday, 14th November 2026, at 7.30 pm in Kilrush Library, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Brian Comerford’s novelette PROMOTED TO HELL is being launched.

PROMOTED TO HELL was a Finalist in the Gerald Griffin First Fiction Award.

Brian Comerford lives in Kilrush and is an active member of Kilrush & District Historical Society.

Our speaker, Brian Comerford, will detail Brendan Bracken’s fascinating life story.

Quick
Contact

Joseph J. McCloskey

Honorary Secretary,

Kilkee Civic Trust.

secretary@kilkeecivictrust.org

© 2026 Kilkee Civic Trust
website design by artvaark-design.ie