Ennis Friary

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About Ennis Friary

The Ennis Friary was founded in the 13th century by Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien, king of Thomond, for Franciscan friars, on the banks of the Rio Fergus. At its height in the 14th century it had hundreds of friars and students and was one of the main centres of learning in the west of Ireland. The town of Ennis grew around it.

What you see today are the ruins of the convent: the nave and the chancel, roofless, with the 13th-century five-light Gothic chancel window, the 15th-century tower and part of the cloister. The friars remained associated with the place even after the suppression of the monasteries by the English in the 16th century, and only left the building in the 17th century.

The convent is noted for its limestone stone carvings. The tomb of the MacMahon, from the 15th century, has panels with scenes of the Passion of Christ, and on one of the nave columns there is a figure of São Francisco with the stigmata. There is also an Ecce Homo image and headstones of local families from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The convent is looked after by the Irish State heritage body and is usually open in season, from spring to autumn, with guided visits. It underwent conservation works and reopened to the public; check the times on the website before you go.