Ennis Walking Tour with a Local Expert

We meet in the Square area which is shared by the Ennis Tourist Information Office and the Temple Gate Hotel. This courtyard is just off the main O'Connell Square in the center of town is close to a large parking area. We start our tour by giving you a brief overview of the tour schedule, various Points of Interest and buildings along the route and talk a little about Ennis's rich history. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to Tour start time.

Church of the Immaculate Conception in Francis St Ennis is a Roman Catholic Church belonging to the Franciscan Friars. This 'New' Friary in Ennis was built on Francis Street in 1856 and is a beautifully preserved medieval church . The church was completed and opened for worship on June 1892.

Local Abbey guide will give your group a brief tour of the Friary complex. Built in the 13th century by King Donnchadh O’Brien for the travelling Franciscan Friars, who setup an Abbey here. Abbey Street is named after the ancient Friary / Abbey.

Abbeyfield House was formally owned by Judge Patterson who sat in the Dublin Four Courts. It was later used as a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks.

Past the Club Bridge, we now take a short scenic walk along the edge wall of the River Fergus. Much fora, fauna and wildlife can be spotted here. This walk leads us to the Courthouse building.

This 'new' Court House dating from 1850 was erected on the Lifford Road, overlooking the river Fergus. It replaced an older building at the square (demolished in 1852). The building and is a gem of Ireland's built Heritage! A monument to former Irish President, Eamon DeVarera is located in front of this building.

Cruce House is the oldest surviving building in Ennis with large Chimney-stacks are relic from the past. Cruce House was owned by 17th century English settler and businessman, John Cruce. Today it houses Cruises Bar and Restaurant, which is part of the Queens' Hotel

At the Club Bridge, we can view the Centenary Sphere and other memorial that commemorates the 1916 Rising. Also from this vantage point, we can see the Gentleman’s Club across the River Fergus. Across river Gentleman’s Club for used for the benefit of local industrialists and the elite for training and socializing.

The Convent of the Sisters of Mercy founded in 1850 . The side gable has a Marble sculptor dedicated them. The Orphanage existed in previous times but Industrial Schools setup here in 1880

This open-space area at the top of O'Connell street is known as O'Connell Square. At this square formally stood the original Ennis Court House (demolished in 1852). A great statue of Daniel O’Connell now stands at the square here today. This tall Monument honors 'the Liberator', Daniel O’Connell. The famous Irish political leader, O’Connell was elected in 1828 standing for Catholic Emancipation following the repeal of the Penal Laws.

As we walk half way down O'Connell street, we come to Brogan’s public house and Maurer’s Jewellery shop which were originally one building! The building has a Jacobean chimney stack at the Cooke’s Lane side. There is a late 18th century archway at Brogan’s. Cooke’s Lane once had a theatre, a prison, a schoolhouse and a fever hospital at various times. There are jostle stones at the O’Connell St. end of Cooke’s Lane.

Cooke’s Lane once had a theatre, a prison, a schoolhouse and a fever hospital at various times. There are jostle stones at the O’Connell St. end of Cooke’s Lane.

Our tour group now progress down Parnell street and stop to view the landmark McParland Building – This Jackobean style building is a notable structure with architectural and historical significance. !

As we continue on Abbey Street, we turn left at McInerney's shop and enter a Bow-way. These old laneways are unique to Ennis and were used in olden times to access to tenement houses at the back. Your guide stops to explain the history of these old laneways.

Our tour now turns into the curved Chapel Lane and arrive at old Catholic Church built in 1735. Many local people sought refuge in the Church during the during the Irish Famine of 1845-52 due to evictions.

Experience the vibrant heart of Ennis where traders have gathered for centuries. Hear about the wild occurances during Market days here in the past . See the Market Sculptor (ref. part of Ennis sculptor trail )

A stunning neo-Gothic cathedral with a striking presence in the town, built 1830 – 1870. Your guide will explain a little bit of the history of this iconic Cathedral. At this point we also recap on points on our Ennis tour and answer any group questions. Depending on time constraints, Tour may finish here.

If time allows , we approach the Old Ground Hotel and you guide will explain the long and varied history of this old building

The guide will advise you that, after the town tour , take the opportunity to visit the Ennis Bookshop. It is one of the area's finest bookshops, which stocks many Clare-related publications.

In previous times this area was called Gallows Green or Hanging Street . In 17th c punishments for women in the form of ‘duckings ‘ for nagging’ and scoulding. See Sculptor of Weathered Woman . Fairs were held on the Square area in Barrack St up to the 1640’s. A previously unknown medieval graveyard was discovered here during excavations in 2015 /2016

Towards end of the tout , your guide will suggest a visit to Clare Museum to see a restored black State-car owned by Ex-President, Eamon De Velara, and many other Clare artifacts of interest.