Ennis

About

Ennis was founded in the 12th century, when the O'Brien dynasty built a royal residence here. In 1240, King Donnchadh O'Brien had a large church built, which he then donated to the Franciscans. While the settlement did well as a religious center, the 18th century Penal Laws proved to be a boon for the town, with Catholics and merchants from Limerick relocating here, establishing it as a thriving market town through the 19th century. Today, history and tradition are still alive and well in Ennis. If you’re planning on visiting other sites in County Clare, pay a visit to the free Clare Museum. Housed in a former Sisters of Mercy Convent, the museum details 6000 years of history through an impressive array of artefacts. Nearby is the 13th century Franciscan friary, where you’ll find some amazing medieval stonework. Once you’ve had your fill of history, you can pop into a pub to see why Ennis prides itself as “Ireland’s friendliest town”.