Ennis —County Clare

The ancient town of Ennis in County Clare is one of Ireland's most picturesque towns. Its history, combined with its famous narrow streetscapes and character buildings gives it an ambience that confirms to visitors, this is somewhere very special.
The distinctive streetscape of Ennis includes ?bow-ways?, arched tunnel passageways linking the narrow streets of the county capital. Ennis was the Entente Florale European Gold Medal Winner 2002.
The old town is surrounded by the River Fergus which divides and unites again, forming the island ? inis in Irish ? that gives Ennis its name. Recent years have seen the development of a most delightful riverside walk, with stone sculptures at strategic points and with a great water meadow where geese graze and ducks dabble, as they have done for hundreds of years.
The oldest building is the 13th century friary, roofless for generations, but containing some gems of medieval sculpture, and its history is palpable. The newest building is Gló² - Irish Music Centre, a superb auditorium where the best of traditional music and dance is performed on most nights, as well as theatre.
Intimate old shops abound in the narrow streets offering the best of food, crafts and clothing. Next door to these are supermarkets, typifying the success of Ennis in combining the best of traditional and contemporary life.