Experience A Journey Through Time

THE ENNIS ESSENTIAL HISTORY TOUR – public

TOUR TYPE

Public

DURATION

70 minutes

GROUP SIZE

15 people (max)

PRICE

€35pp (excl fees)

THE EXPERIENCE

PRICING: €35pp (excl fees), discount for under 18’s

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 courtyard area shared by the Ennis Tourist Office/Clare Museum and the Temple Gate Hotel.

GOOD TO KNOW: This meeting point is just off the main O’Connell Square in the centre of town and is next to a large parking area. 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.

Jane with tour group in front of shop, pointing up

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

Join our public Ennis Walking Tour for a fun, enjoyable way to explore Ennis in County Clare with other curious travellers. Running at set times during high season, this public tour is a great way to discover Ennis’s rich history and must-see sights. With over 20 years of tour guiding experience Dr. Jane O’Brien will bring you on a fascinating journey that spans 800 years of history in Ennis, a medieval market town packed with stories waiting to be uncovered! Jane will lead you through our winding streets and hidden bow-ways as we explore grand monuments, medieval abbeys, and Ireland’s oldest timber-framed house.

You’ll hear tales of kings, friars, rebels, and revolutionaries, stand where Catholic Emancipation was won, and experience the spirit of old Ennis with stories of its bustling markets and the daily lives of its people. This tour gives you an insider’s view of Ennis – bringing the town’s fascinating history, characters and hidden gems to life. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

ORIGINS OF ENNIS

Our journey begins in the charming courtyard of the Clare Museum/ Temple Gate Hotel, stepping back in time to the Ennis of the 13th century.

O’CONNELL MONUMENT

Stand at the point where Ireland won its hard-fought battle for Catholic Emancipation.

HIDDEN BOW-WAYS

Wander through atmospheric laneways that once connected the main streets to the town’s poorest tenement areas.

13th Century Ennis Abbey and River Fergus

Explore the role of the Franciscan Friars in shaping Ennis, with stunning views of the Abbey ruins.

The Oldest Street and Friary

Walk in the footsteps of kings along Ennis’s oldest street, leading to the palace of the O’Brien rulers and the town’s stunning 19th-century Friary.

Orphanage and Industrial School

Uncover captivating stories from the past at this former convent.

McParland House (1620)

Visit Ireland’s only surviving timber-framed house on Parnell Street with original half-door and shopfront.

Chapel Lane and The Great Famine

Step into the shadow of history at this former penal-era church.

Ennis Old Markets

Discover the vibrant (and sometimes violent!) history of Ennis’s famous markets, where deals were made, and rivalries often turned into brawls.

Gallows Green & Crime and Punishment

Hear the shocking laws of old Ennis, where justice was swift and brutal.

Cathedral and Towerhouse

Your tour closes at the grand 19th-century Cathedral and former 16th-century tower house and gaol.

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

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 history and 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 tour group looking at print of old painting

TOUR REVIEWS

Slide 1

“Jane has a deep knowledge and love of the town of Ennis. Streets, buildings and people came to life as she shared their history and stories. Jane’s sense of humor and her engaging spirit were captivating and our time together flew by too quickly! Book early!”

September 2024

Slide 3

“Dr. O’Brien is a well-known local who is an historian and had just the right amount of culture, history, and humor woven into her tour. So many back stories for this beautiful little town, and Dr. O’Brien knew them all. I highly recommend booking either a public or private tour with Jane! ”