Ennis Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Ennis, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours off the train or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Ennis. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
An Evening in Ennis: the Town and a Session
If you have an evening in Ennis, spend it the way the town is built for: a wander through the medieval streets and along the river while there is light, an early dinner, and a session or two in the pubs. Compact, walkable and the truest taste of what the county town is about.
- 117:30·1 hour
Wander the laneways and the river
Start with a slow loop of the town centre while the light holds: O'Connell Square and the monument, the narrow laneways to Ennis Friary, and down to the River Fergus. It is flat, short and free, and it sets the shape of the island town before the evening.
View The Medieval Laneways and Riverside on Foot - 218:30·1.5 hours
Dinner by the river
Eat early, before the pubs fill. The Rowan Tree Café Bar has a terrace over the Fergus for a warm evening, or book Henry's on Lower Market Street for a step-up bistro dinner on Clare produce.
View Rowan Tree Café Bar - 320:30·1.5 hours
Find a session at Brogan's
Settle into Brogan's on O'Connell Street, one of the town's reliable rooms for a trad session, for a pint and the first of the night's music. Ask what nights the session runs; it is not on a fixed printed timetable.
View Traditional Music Sessions in the Pubs - 422:00·Late
On to Poet's Corner
Move on to Poet's Corner at the Old Ground Hotel, or another room with music on, to hear a different set of players. Wandering between the pubs is the way to do an Ennis night.
View Poet's Corner Bar
A Full Day from Ennis: the Town, the County, and the Music
A full day that uses Ennis the way it works best: a morning of the town's own heritage, an afternoon out in the county the town is the base for, and the music back in the pubs at night. It shows both sides of Ennis, the working county town and the launch pad for Clare.
- 109:30·1 hour
Ennis Friary and the town centre
Start at Ennis Friary, the 13th-century Franciscan house the town grew around, for its fine medieval carved stonework. Confirm the OPW opening hours ahead. Then walk the laneways and O'Connell Square to get the measure of the place.
View Ennis Friary - 210:45·1 hour
The Clare Museum
Take in the free Clare Museum and its Riches of Clare exhibition for a grounding in the county's story before you drive out into it. An easy indoor hour, good whatever the weather.
View Clare Museum (Riches of Clare) - 312:30·1 hour
Lunch and provisions
Grab lunch in town and pick up something for the road at the Ennis Gourmet Store, or sit down for a bowl of chowder at the Market Bar. Then get on the road while the afternoon is ahead of you.
View Ennis Gourmet Store - 413:30·About 4 hours
Out into the county: the Burren or the Cliffs
Drive out to what Ennis is the base for. The Burren is about 15 minutes north for limestone country, dolmens and stone forts; the Cliffs of Moher are about 45 minutes west. Pick one, take it slowly, and head back to town for the evening. Pre-book the Cliffs if that is your choice.
View The Burren (Day Trip from Ennis) - 519:30·Evening
Dinner and a session back in town
Back in Ennis, book a proper dinner at Henry's, then settle into a pub for the evening session. You have seen the county and come home to the music, which is the whole idea of basing yourself here.
View Traditional Music Sessions in the Pubs
Ready to plan your visit?
Check live train departures and the weather forecast before you head out.