Ennis: Essential History Walking Tour with Dr Jane O'Brien
Join expert guide Dr Jane O'Brien on this fascinating and award-winning private tour of the vibrant market town of Ennis in Clare, uncovering its rich history, intriguing characters, and hidded gems.
Ennis Essential History Tour
This private guided walking tour in Ennis, County Clare, suits visitors interested in history and local culture, led by an expert with over 20 years’ experience.
Description
Ennis is a medieval market town featuring cobbled lanes, winding streets, and unique bow-ways, with a rich history spanning 800 years. The Ennis Essential History Tour offers a private, immersive experience led by local guide Dr Jane O’Brien. Jane combines expert research with storytelling to bring to life the town’s historical highlights and characters.
The tour covers ancient abbeys, grand monuments, medieval buildings, and places significant to Irish history such as Catholic Emancipation. You will explore the town’s culture, heritage, and lesser-known sites with insights from a knowledgeable local.
What you will do on this tour
- Start at the Clare Museum/Temple Gate Hotel courtyard and step back to 13th-century Ennis
- Visit the O’Connell Monument, marking where Catholic Emancipation was won
- Walk through laneways and arched bow-ways leading to former tenement areas
- Discover the role of Franciscan Friars and view the 13th-century Abbey ruins
- Follow Ennis’s oldest street to the O’Brien rulers’ palace and the 19th-century Friary
- Hear stories at the former convent and town orphanage
- See Ireland’s only surviving timber-framed house on Parnell Street with original features
- Visit a former 1700s penal-era church linked to famine history
- Learn the history of Ennis’s markets, known for their activity and rivalries
- Experience the old Gallows Green site and its harsh justice laws
- Conclude at the 19th-century Cathedral, former 16th-century tower house, and old gaol
Includes
- Expert local guide
- Private walking tour
- Insider view of Ennis
- Historical highlights and hidden gems
Excludes
- Entrance fees to any sites
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to or from the tour start
- Gratuities (not expected but appreciated)
Important Information
- Tour operates in all weather; dress accordingly
- Suitable for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility
- Smoking is not permitted during the tour
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
For the best experience, book in advance and wear comfortable footwear. Morning tours are recommended to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.
