Hidden Stories Brought to Life

THE ENNIS DARK HISTORY TOUR

TOUR TYPE

Private

DURATION

70 minutes

GROUP SIZE

1-6 people

PRICE

€160 (excl fees)

THE EXPERIENCE

PRICING: €160 per group (1-6 people) with additional €20 per extra person up to 12 people. For larger groups please enquire about our special rates.

INCLUDED: Expert Local Guide, Dr Jane O’Brien
Amplification device (for groups over 8)
Not included: Gratuities (not expected, but always welcome)

CHECK-IN: Arrive 5 minutes before the tour start time and meet in the lobby of the Old Ground Hotel on the corner of O’Connell Street and Station Road. 

GOOD TO KNOW: There is public on street parking just outside this hotel on Station Road. SEE MAP

CANCELLATION: Full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Also full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows charged the full price.

CANCELLATION: Full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation.

Also full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows charged the full price.

Tour member looking surprised in dark alleyway in front of mural

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

Join Dr Jane O’Brien on this fascinating and chilling tour that uncovers ghostly legends, tragic tales, and dark deeds hidden in the town’s winding streets. This private Ennis Dark History Tour unlocks the secret side of medieval Ennis as the town’s mysterious history, mythology, ghosts and more are explored. At a time that suits you, you and your chosen group of friends or family will be led through the town’s shadowy laneways and ancient streets by Ennis local Guide Dr Jane O’Brien. One of Ireland’s most knowledgeable Guides with over 20 years experience, Jane blends historically accurate content with captivating story telling as she reveals Ennis in an unforgettable new (and eerie) light.

You’ll discover sinister secrets of old Ennis—where grime, crime, punishment, and superstition ruled the day. You’ll hear chilling tales of ghosts, listen for the mournful wail of the banshee, and learn about the infamous witch Biddy Early and her magical blue bottle. From a mad monk to real-life graveyard excavations, history comes alive in the most haunting ways.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Old Ground Hotel, Tower house and Gaol

Hear the story of one of the town’s oldest and most haunted buildings.

Gallow’s Green

Discover the shocking and strange punishments of old Ennis.

Garranakilla Graveyard

Uncover the old Ennis graveyard, full of stories from its past.

Ennis Old Markets

Experience how the old markets were not always peaceful affairs – with local tensions even leading to murder! 

Haunted BOW-WAYS

Learn how intense deprivation and famine still haunts these old laneways. 

Grime and Misery

Reimagine the sights (and smells!) of old Ennis as you explore the narrow streets and laneways of the town. 

O’Connell Square

Hear the story of the infamous wise woman of Clare, Biddy Early, and her witchcraft trial. 

Orphanage and Industrial School

Uncover tragic stories from the old Ennis orphanage and industrial school.

Old Causeway

Discover the mysterious figures from Irish folklore and mythology that remained in strong belief into the 20th century in Ennis.

13th century Ennis Abbey

Your tour closes at the Old Abbey, home to many of the towns past residents, including a local ghost!

FAQ’S

Everything You Need to Know About Your Ennis Walking Tour

The Ennis Essential History Tour and the Ennis Dark History Tour last for approximately 70 minutes each. The Ennis Tasting History Tour usually lasts about 1.5 hours.

Ennis Walking Tours has run tours for 1 person and for up to 100 people! Groups of up to 40 people are regularly accommodated, so contact us with the number in your group and we will arrange whatever suits you best. 

The Ennis Essential History Tour and the Ennis Tasting History Tour leave from the courtyard shared by the Clare Museum/Ennis Tourist Office and the Temple Gate Hotel – as shown on this map (Ennis Tourist Office). An alternative town centre meeting point can also be requested for private tours. 

The Ennis Dark History Tour leaves from the lobby of the Old Ground Hotel situated on the corner of O’Connell Street and Station Rd – as shown on this map (Old Ground Hotel).

Distances we cover on the tours are approx. 1 – 1.5 km (less than 1 mile). Within this distance we cover the main medieval core of Ennis town and all its historical landmarks.

Yes! Ennis is a compact town, and each tour is run at a leisurely walking pace and is suitable for those with reduced mobility. There are about 10 stops on the tours and there is somewhere at most stops to sit and rest if required. 

For tours departing from the Temple Gate Hotel Courtyard there is a public car park just beside this (Friars Walk Car Park). For tours departing from the Old Ground Hotel there is street parking on Station Road just outside the hotel entrance. 

Tours are run by the owner/operator of Ennis Walking Tours, Dr Jane O’Brien. Jane is a local of Ennis and an expert Guide with over 20 years of tour guiding experience. She holds a Masters in Local History from the University of Limerick and a History PhD from the University of Galway. She has been running Ennis Walking Tours since 2005. 

Rain or shine, we run our tours! Please dress appropriately and if it does rain chances are it will not last for long. We can find suitable shelter for very heavy showers. 

We offer tours in English only, although we can work with a group’s translator if required.

Yes, children are most welcome, and a reduced child rate applies to children and teenagers. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. School groups must be accompanied by at least one teacher. 

Yes, all our tours are suitable for children, and for most children the stories told on the Dark History Tour are intriguing and just a little bit scary. 

Yes, the tours are generally wheelchair accessible. The route is mainly on flat ground with kerbstone dips available along the route. 

No, we stop at the old Ennis Abbey and talk about its history, but we do not go inside. There is a charge to visit this attraction, and we do encourage people to return there after the tour and spend some time exploring the site. 

Book your tour on our website, or from an authorised online travel agent. We advise you to book in advance as we may not be able to accept ‘walk-ups’ if the tour is full or cancelled. 

Please visit our Bespoke Tours booking pages and fill in our online enquiry form or just email us directly at info@enniswalkingtours.com and outline your request. We usually reply inside 24 hours. 

You will receive a booking confirmation email with all necessary details. 

You may print your ticket if you prefer but we also accept a visual image of your ticket from a mobile device.  

On busy days we may not always be able to accommodate everybody, so booking in advance or phoning ahead is advised. If nobody is booked on a tour 24 hours beforehand, we may cancel that tour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted. Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

A tip is not expected but is obviously really appreciated for a good tour.

For medium- to large-sized groups a small microphone amplifier can be used to ensure that all the group can hear clearly. Also, all stopping points have plenty of room for the group to gather and the guide always speaks slowly and clearly. 

The bite-sized tastings that the Guide provides, along with the samples from a local food supplier, is equivalent to a small plate of food per person. In addition, we serve two small tastings of an alcoholic beverage. 

Yes, we can provide gluten-free alternatives for certain tastings. We can also provide a non-alcoholic substitute for the alcoholic tastings if required, or for children attending the tour. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions in advance of the tour.

If you can’t find the answer to your question above, please do not hesitate to send a message either by using our Contact Form, or by emailing us at info@enniswalkingtours.com or by calling us at +353 87 6483714

Jane at fireplace with dark history tour group

All About

YOUR GUIDE

Clare native and owner and operator of Ennis Walking Tours, Dr Jane O’Brien is an expert Guide with a Masters in local history and a History PhD from the University of Galway. She has been sharing her knowledge and running tours of Ennis since 2005 and her uniquely Irish storytelling skills bring history alive for all who embark on an Ennis Walking Tour. Jane is deeply passionate about her hometown and uses rich insightful sources to recreate the historical dramas and daily life of this extraordinary town and its place in Irish history. Jane is also Castle Historian at Dromoland Castle – once the seat of the Gaelic O’Brien Kings and now a luxury hotel.

READ ABOUT YOUR GUIDE

Jane with dark history tour group in alley

TOUR REVIEWS

Slide 1

“Jane was very knowledgeable and kept us engaged throughout the tour. Who knew Ennis had such an interesting, dark history. I would highly recommend this tour.”

September 2024

Slide 2

“Loved the Dark History Walking Tour! Jane made history come alive, which I love! Would definitely recommend Jane’s tours!”

July 2024    

Slide 3

“Dark, eery tour of Ennis. Dr. Jane was incredible! Her story telling style had us hanging on her every word. It was a cool, windy and rainy night that just added to the dramatic effect. The stories of the time were so interesting.”

March 2024 

Slide 4

“Great tour! So knowledgeable of the history of the area, the dark history tour was quite spooky. Loved to hear all the facts and lore of this area of Ireland. Would love to come back and do another one of her tours if I was ever in Ireland again!”