• Clare Museum - The tour begins at the Clare Museum, previously the location of the old Convent building for the Sisters of Mercy. Participants are introduced to the medieval market town of Ennis, which dates back to the 13th century.
• Daniel O’Connell Monument - The next stop is the Daniel O’Connell Monument in the heart of Ennis, a site for numerous events, including the significant milestone of Catholic Emancipation.
• Abbey Street - The tour continues into one of Ennis’s charming bow-ways, small laneways that connect the main streets to what were once the town’s poorer tenement areas.
• Ennis Friary - At the Old Ennis Abbey (circa 1280s), the role of the Franciscan Friars in the development of Ennis town is explored. From here, there is also a lovely view of the River Fergus, which flows through the town, and the memorials to the famous Irish 1916 uprising against British rule.
• Francis Street - This is the oldest street in Ennis, leading to what was once the palace of the O’Brien Kings, founders of the town. Here, visitors can also explore the Friary (originally built in the 1850s) to admire the beautiful stained glass windows and tranquil atmosphere.
• Arthur’s Row - By the old convent building, the tour delves into some of the archived experiences of children from the orphanage and industrial school that once stood on this site.
• Parnell Street - The tour stops at the McParland House (circa 1620) on Parnell Street, the only known surviving timber-framed house in Ireland and the oldest house in the town to remain in continuous use without any major structural alterations. The original quaint shopfront and half-door evoke an earlier time in the market town.
• Chapel Lane - The tour pauses beside the building housing the Chapel Lane market, once a church built in 1735 during the penal times. Lane-ways like this experienced much overcrowding during the Great Famine in Ireland, and the tour explores the devastation this event had on a town like Ennis.
• Market Place - As the main market town for County Clare, Ennis was a central hub for markets for hundreds of years. In addition to buying and trading livestock and produce, these markets were also social occasions, with people meeting up, matchmaking, and sometimes engaging in the infamous faction fighting! The tour explores all this and the meaning of the market day sculpture that stands on the site today.
• Barrack Street - This area was once the old “Gallows Green” of the town. The tour explores the crimes and punishments documented in the corporation manuscript of Ennis (1660), many of which seem shocking to modern eyes!
• Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul - This impressive building is the main Catholic Church of the region, built between 1830 and 1870. Today, it stands opposite the Old Ground Hotel, once the site of the old town jail, and also incorporates a haunted tower house dating to the 1500s! The tour usually concludes here, allowing people the option to visit the Cathedral or return to the starting point at their leisure via the main pedestrianized shopping street, O’Connell Street.

• Snacks
• Guide uses amplification device for ease of listening

• Gratuities - always appreciated, but never expected

Enjoy a private tour of Ennis with Dr. Jane O’Brien, an experienced and award-winning local guide. With a PhD in history, Dr. O’Brien has been leading tours of Ennis since 2005. Her exceptional storytelling skills vividly bring the town’s vibrant past to life for all participants. As you wander through the streets and alleys of Ennis, you’ll uncover the fascinating tales that have shaped its history. Recognized as the “2024 Best Walking Tour Experience” and a guide for Rick Steves Tours in Ennis, this tour delves into the town’s history, legends, ghosts, poverty, murders, and more. Dr. O’Brien utilizes rich historical sources to recreate the drama and daily life of Ennis, highlighting its significance in Irish history. Her acclaimed tours offer a highly entertaining and thought-provoking experience. Additionally, she offers the Dark History Tour, which provides an in-depth look at the town’s darker past, and the Gourmet History Tour, which combines history with local food tastings.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.