Ennis, a haven for history lovers, is the county town of County Clare, Ireland. It is the largest town in Clare and the 12th largest in Ireland. It has an abundance of decaying ruins of medieval abbeys, friaries, and castles that are open to the public to visit. Tour the Clare Museum housed in a building which is a former convent–inside it is the documentation of 6,000 years of history of County Clare. Explore the Burren which is a Glacio-Karst landscape laid with swathes of limestone pavement and a habitat for over 70 percent of the flower species growing in Ireland. See other attractions including Ennis Friary, Dysert O’Dea Castle, and Clare and Quin Abbeys. Ennis is renowned for being the home of traditional Irish music so you can also enjoy year round music festivals and traditional music throughout the town. Scroll down to know more about things to do in in Ennis, Ireland.
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1. Learn about the history of County Clare at Clare Museum
At Clare Museum we tell the history of County Clare over a 6,000 year period using the themes of Earth, Power, Faith, Water and Energy. This is a view of the Water section on the first floor.
Posted by Clare Museum on Saturday, 20 September 2014
Visit this museum that is housed in a former convent and documents the history of County Clare over 6,000 years. The exhibition is divided into the themes of Earth, Power, Faith, Water and Energy and includes a large collection of objects on loan from the National Museum of Ireland. See The Riches of Clare exhibition that comprises of objects from archaeological sites, social history, religious sites, agricultural history, Clare’s association with the Spanish Armada, and Clare’s musical tradition. It is an enlightening place if you are interested in learning about the town’s history.
Clare Museum
Address: Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free admission
2. Take some pictures in front of the Presidential Car
Capture awesome photos in front of the 1947 Dodge Plymouth that transported two of Ireland’s presidents, including Eamon de Valera. It is on display in a room adjacent to the public library and Manse Garden. Eamon de Valera enjoyed the Dodge greatly and he often drove it to political functions around the country and around County Clare. The car seats eight people and on its bonnet are the Irish tricolor and the presidential flag. Pose next to this car that is of great significance to Clare’s social and political history.
Presidential Car
Address: Harmony Row, Ennis, Co. Clare.
3. Marvel at the 15th-century carvings of Ennis Friary
Visit this 13th-century Franciscan friary that features many 15th-century sculptures amazingly carved in the local hard limestone. See a carved image of St. Francis showing the stigmata, a canopy with detailed tracery, and corbels featuring carvings of a bishop on one side and the Virgin and Child on the other supporting it. There are also carvings showing the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. Ennis Friary has many more carvings to see, it is packed with history and the architecture is splendid though in ruins. A tour here is definitely a good way to spend some hours of your day.
Ennis Friary
Address: Abbey St, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Ennis Friary
4. Play golf at the Ennis Golf Club
Posted by Ennis Golf Club on Saturday, 8 December 2018
Enjoy a leisurely break golfing out in the undulating countryside on this immaculately manicured, 18-hole, Par 70 parkland course. Enjoy a fairly challenging round on its tree-lined fairways and tight greens, or a more relaxed and simple round on its relatively even terrain. At their Pro-Shop, you will get a fine selection of golf equipment, golf apparel, and golf accessories at very competitive prices. Come here and enjoy a chill day out in the greens.
Ennis Golf Club
Address: Golf Links Rd, Drumbiggil, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Ennis Golf Club
Price: From 15 EUR (17 USD)
5. Take a tour of Clare Abbey
Marvel at what remains of the simple but unique architecture of Clare Abbey. Located on a perch by the west bank of the River Fergus, Clare Abbey was an influential Augustinian Abbey established in 1189. The medieval ruins consist of a church with a belfry, domestic buildings around a cloister garth, and a gateway and enclosures. On the southeast corner is a remarkable floral window. Tour this abbey that is full of history and remarkable remains.
Clare Abbey
Address: Limerick Rd, Clareabbey, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Clare Abbey
6. Pay a visit to the Daniel O'Connell Monument
This monument is a historical landmark in Ennis, Ireland. It is a monument dedicated to Daniel O'Connell that was put up in 1867. It consists of a Roman Doric column towering up a square-plan base that has inset panels. On top of it is a limestone statue standing on a drum decorated with a scroll of shamrocks. The statue is of a figure dressed in a cloak with raised hands facing up O'Connell Street. Admire the beauty of the statue, learn some history on what it symbolizes and even take pictures beside it.
Daniel O'Connell Monument
Address: O'Connell Street, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Daniel O'Connell Monument
Opening hours: 24 hours
7. Attend a service at Ennis Cathedral
Spiritual enrichment is always a nice addition to your day. Attend a mass at this cathedral which is open daily and has the mass scheduled at different times in the day. Enjoy singing the hymns with the choir guiding you. Aside from worship, you can also indulge in touring the church and marveling at its beautiful architecture with its most beautiful feature being a set of fluted timber columns that have delightful tracery in the arch spandrels above.
Ennis Cathedral
Website: Ennis Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:40am, 10am, 7:30pm; Sat: 10am, 6:30pm; Sun: 9:30am, 11:30am
8. Stop by the Muhammed Ali Monument
The muhammed Ali monument dedicated to his great grandfather who was born in Ennis Ireland. Fighting Irish spirit!
Posted by Holly Zolotarevsky on Tuesday, 9 July 2019
Muhammed Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time and he had some roots in Ireland. To acknowledge this, a roadside monument commemorating him and his ancestral home was put up on a roundabout in Ennis. It stands over 7 feet (2.1 m) tall at the site of his Irish ancestral home. It is worth a stopover when in Ennis. Remember to take amazing photos beside it.
Muhammed Ali Monument
Address: Turnpike Rd, Clonroad More, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Muhammed Ali Monument
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
9. Catch a live musical performance at Glór Theatre
Posted by glór on Wednesday, 2 January 2019
Enjoy the thrill and shivers that come with watching live music at a theater with great acoustics and a comfortable space. Glór Theatre features theatre performances, comedy, stand-up comedy, live music, and also organizes exhibitions by leading Irish visual artists and a variety of concerts. Catch a live performance in this auditorium that will completely make you lose yourself to the music being played. It has a capacity of 485 people for seated performances. It is a fun way to spend your time.
Glór Theatre
Address: Causeway Link, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 VHP0, Ireland
Website: Glór Theatre
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
10. Spend some time reading at De Valera Public Library
Posted by Clare County Library on Wednesday, 27 February 2019
A library usually provides a quiet and relaxing place to enjoy some reading. The library has an extensive range of books for adults, a comprehensive collection of CDs and DVDs, a wide selection of magazines and newspapers, free public access internet PCs, and WiFi. You can catch up on chapters of your favorite book, enjoy looking at magazines, or browse collections.
De Valera Public Library
Address: Harmony Row, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: De Valera Public Library
Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thur: 10am - 5:30pm; Tue, Fri: 10am - 8pm; Sat: 10am - 2pm (closed on Sun)
11. Have a great meal at Brogan's
Posted by Brogans Bar & Restaurant on Thursday, 20 June 2019
Dine at this restaurant that features locally sourced Irish foods and drinks and Irish music and dance in the background. Enjoy a scrumptious meal prepared from fresh and local produce using accompanied by refreshing local beer or good wine at value for money prices. The staff are also friendly and provide good service. What more do you want than enjoying good food and drinks in a very relaxing environment with great Irish music playing that adds to the ambiance? Come here for a truly awesome dining experience.
Brogan's
Address: 24 O'Connell Street, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Brogan’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 11:30pm; Fri - Sun: 12pm - 1am
12. Hang out with friends over a couple of drinks at Cruises Pub
Live Trad Sessions Daily. Food served daily .
Posted by Cruises Bar on Thursday, 30 May 2019
Come have fun with your friends at Cruises Pub which is famous for its fireside sessions. The interior of the club with its stone-flagged floors, ancient walls, low-beamed ceilings, big old stone fireplaces, and nooks and crannies exude a warm and cozy feeling to its patrons. Sample a taste of Irish culture at its best from the music sessions every evening featuring local, traditional musicians. You can also have a taste of the excellent food that is served here. Enjoy a lively and entertaining night with mighty craic at this pub with your friends and create amazing memories.
Cruises Pub
Address: Abbey St, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Cruises Pub
Opening hours: 12pm - 2am (daily)
13. Put on your dance shoes at Club Red | Ennis' Newest Nightclub
Put on your dancing shoes and head out to this nightclub in Ennis that features two bars and a dance floor. It does not matter if you have two left feet or not, move your body to the beats and have lots of fun while at it. Get to also enjoy tasty drinks from the bar. Try out this nightclub and experience one of the hottest nightclubs in Ennis. Feel young at heart on a crazy night out.
Club Red | Ennis' Newest Nightclub
Address: 1 Newbridge Rd, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 11:30pm - 2:30am (closed from Mon - Fri)
14. Get a relaxing massage at Aveda C Spa
Treat your body to a relaxing massage at Aveda C Spa. The staff here take pride in offering a wide range of high-end products and treatments to their clients in a friendly, peaceful, and private setting. Leave all the hustles and bustles of life behind as you walk in through the door and enjoy a relaxing massage that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. Health and wellness is key to our general well-being and your time at this spa helps you achieve just that.
Aveda C Spa
Address: Summerhill, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Aveda C Spa
Opening hours: Tue: 11am - 4pm; Wed, Fri: 9am - 7pm; Thu: 10am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Sun)
15. Shop till your feet hurt at Ennis Town Centre
Posted by Ennis Town Centre Market on Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Indulge in the guilty pleasure of shopping at Ennis Town Centre market which is located in the heart of busy and vibrant Ennis. There is a strong and wide variety of retail in Ennis with brands such as Milano, Boots, and Pandora. This shopping center offers a great place to do your shopping and try some delicious food. It is highly unlikely that you will miss anything you want. Be prepared to just want to soak in a tub and relax or take a quick shower and get into bed after a long and exhausting day of all the shopping.
Ennis Town Centre
Address: O'Connell Street, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 C7YY, Ireland
16. Knock down some pins at Planet Entertainment Centre Ennis
It seems like everybody is trying to stay fit these days, but who likes to exercise when it's no fun? We all want to...
Posted by The Planet Entertainment Centre Ennis on Thursday, 6 December 2018
Visit this all-weather family recreation center in Ennis that offers a lot of games to entertain everyone. The games include 10-pin bowling, glow-in-the-dark UV bowling, laser tag, pool and snooker, and astro turf football. Enjoy bowling with your friends at the 8 lanes of 10-pin bowling with amazing computer scoring and graphics. Indulge in some friendly competition while having lots of fun.
Planet Entertainment Centre Ennis
Address: Showgrounds Rd, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Planet Entertainment Centre Ennis
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 10pm
17. Watch a hit blockbuster movie at Empire Movieplex Ennis
It's our last couple of days (for now) in Ennis Empire Movieplex - we're showing today (Saturday) and tomorrow, Sunday...
Posted by Older Than Ireland on Saturday, 7 November 2015
Enjoy the excitement that comes with watching a hit blockbuster movie at a cinema. Delight in the great acoustics, surround system, 3D imaging or high definition graphics, seven huge screens that are fully air conditioned, and the intimate ambiance that comes with being in an auditorium–not forgetting the typical movie comfort foods. Watching a movie in a cinema has remained and will probably remain one of the best experiences ever. Head out to this cinema and watch the latest movies as they are released.
Empire Movieplex Ennis
Address: 36 Parnell St, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 YX8F, Ireland
Website: Empire Movieplex Ennis
Price: From 5 EUR (6 USD)
18. Go on a family picnic at Monastery Park
Visit Monastery Park for a family day out in the open. It is a park in Ennis that also has some excellent memorials. Prepare your family’s favorite snacks and have a picnic here. There are a few areas to sit down. Play fun games or tell stories. Nothing beats being out in the open on a beautiful sunny day, the cool breeze blowing around. Have a breath of fresh air and some family bonding time. By the end of the picnic, you will be feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Monastery Park
Address: Cappahard, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
19. Hit a bull's eye at Barron Sports
Visit this gun shop in Ennis that sells shotguns, ammunition, rifles, and dog trace products. Feel the adrenaline rush as you get to lift a gun, aim and hit a target. Such an amazing and unique must-have experience. Be sure to visit Barron Sports in Ennis and have a lot of fun while at it.
Barron Sports
Address: Newpark, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Website: Barron Sports
Opening hours: Mon - Wed, Fri: 10am - 7pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 1pm (closed on Sun)
20. Step back in time through the medieval streets of Ennis
On this tour that takes approximately 70 minutes, you will get to explore the narrow streets of Ennis, marvel at its spectacular architecture, and listen to amazing stories about the history of the town from your guide. See all the highlights and points of interest of the town on this guided tour while hearing stories about legends of the famines, rebellions, and riots that shaped it. This tour provides an amazing and enjoyable way to get familiarized with the town.
Go back in time in this medieval town
Ennis is a town that is rich in history with the museums, friaries, abbeys, and castles waiting to be explored. History lovers will have a blast here. However, there are other numerous attractions to explore for those who are not so much into history. Plan a trip here and have fun using our list of things to do in Ennis, Ireland.
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