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Situated at the S end of Ennis historic town (CL033-082----). According to Ua Cróinín and Breen (1992, 6), cited in Ó Dálaigh (2012, 2) a small castle (CL033-082007-) and gatehouse were built at the southern entry to the town in the second half of the 15th century. A pictorial map of Ennis made in 1703 by Thomas Moland as part of a major survey of the Thomond estate shows the basic street pattern with the market-house (CL033-082012-) at the junction of the three main streets. At the S end of what is now O’Connell St., a large building with tall chimneys on the gables and an archway in its centre, is visible straddling the street. Although not a walled town, the island nature of the town allowed this gate to mark a significant entrance into the town from the S. Its former arch was described in the Clare Freeman newspaper (18.1.1873). A gaol described as ‘lately erected’ in 1595 (CL033-082013-) may have been at this location. From 1713 this was also the location of the County Gaol. Now in use as a bar and restaurant. A tower house (CL033-082007-) is extant at the core of the adjoining Old Ground Hotel.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney
Date of upload: 19 May 2014
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