Ennis

Ennis is the most important town in County Clare, and medieval in its origins and appearance. Included in the PPS (Project for Public Spaces) list of '60 of the World's Greatest Places', it was the 2005 recipient of Ireland’s Tidiest Town award. Ennis is a focal point for traditional Irish music – which can be heard everywhere – in pubs, shops, and at the many folk music festivals, called fleadhs, which take place here.

Ennis features many charming lanes filled with colorfully painted storefronts and pubs. The town was founded in the 13th century, when the O’Brien family owned the lands. It is historically a market town, bisected by the River Fergus. Major annual events include the Fleadh Nua Festival in late May and the National Dancing Championships.

Sites of interest in Ennis include:

Ennis Friary, which dates back to the 1240’s. The ruins of the friary are richly decorated with medieval carvings, as well as the tombs located on the site. The 15th century Mac Mahon tomb is currently being refurbished.

Nearby, on St. Francis Street, sits Queen’s Hotel, which was made famous in the novel Ulysses by James Joyce.

The Main Street in Ennis is named after Daniel O’Connell, also known as “The Liberator”, who was MP of County Clare in 1828. A monument to O’Connell, who lived from 1775-1847, is located on a raised limestone pediment in the centre of town. He was given his title in honor of tireless efforts on behalf of the movement for Catholic Emancipation.

The DeValera Monument is a bronze statue located in the town park in the West of Ennis, outside the courthouse. Eamonn DeValera (1882-1975), began his lengthy political career in 1917. He was politically dominant for decades as Prime Minister and leader of Fianna Fail, the party he also founded, from 1937 to 1959, and then left the party to serve as president until 1973.

This county capital still retains a medieval flair, which can be seen in its narrow arched tunnel passageways.