Ennis Walking Tour with a Local Expert

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.

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.

It was later used as a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks.

Much fora, fauna and wildlife can be spotted here. This walk leads us to the Courthouse building.

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 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

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 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.

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.

There are jostle stones at the O’Connell St. end of Cooke’s Lane.

Parland Building – This Jackobean style building is a notable structure with architectural and historical significance. !

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.

Many local people sought refuge in the Church during the during the Irish Famine of 1845-52 due to evictions.

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.

long and varied history of this old building

It is one of the area's finest bookshops, which stocks many Clare-related publications.

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.