Things to See and Do in Ennis and Limerick

Blog Archive

3rd July 2015

Ennis

As the capital of Co. Clare, Ennis is a picturesque and historic market town world famous for its traditional Irish music with year round music festivals and trad sessions. Fun, relaxation and adventure awaits with Ennis being a centrally loctaed tourist spot and the ideal location with the train station only a walk away from major attractions such as:

Glór Gallery

Glór is the premier concert and event venue in the mid-west of Ireland for a range of acts including stand-up comedy, drama performances and art exhibitions. Glór’s art exhibitions have become well known over the years for including award winning pieces such as Alan Keane’s series ‘A Place for Time’.

Glór also hold open exhibitions which give Clare artists both emerging and established a chance to showcase their work. This year’s Summer Open Submission Exhibition takes place from Wednesday 8^th July until Monday 31st August; don’t miss your chance to see some of Ireland’s finest works of art. There will be a number of workshops and special events taking place this summer so there’s plenty to do for all the family.

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Ireland. Being almost vertical and with the sheer drop into the heaving Atlantic Ocean, it’s a haven for sea birds including the Atlantic Puffin, Razorbuill, Chough and Common Gull.

A walk along the pathways along the cliffs edge is not to be missed with the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Moutains visible on a clear day. A truly awe-inspiring view that any lover of the great outdoors or of historical landmarks must experience.

At the cliffs there’s an underlying feeling, something you can’t quite put your finger on and that cannot be understood unless you are there. If you truly want to understand why guidebooks describe Ireland as mysterious and wild and romantic, then standing at the cliffs will make you realise why.

Ennis Friary

The Ennis Friary was the Novitiate house for the Irish and British Provinces of the Franciscans founded in the 13^th Century by the O’Brien’s. It’s a splendid building with numerous fifteenth and sixteenth century sculptures carved in the local hard limestone. Visitors to the Ennis Friary will not want to miss seeing the sacristy and its impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling.

The east window that lights the chancel is a fine example of the gothic features present throughout the friary giving a glimpse of how it must have looked at its height. Highlights of the visit also include the carving of St Francis and the MacMahon tomb.

De Valera Public Library

The De Valera Public Library and Gallery was opened in 1975 and is situated in what was once a Presbyterian Church built in 1856. As well as an extensive range of books for adults and children there’s a comprehensive collection of CDs and DVD available to the public on a daily basis. De Valera Public Library also provides story-time for children on a regular basis and hosts book clubs for both adults and children.

In addition the Presidential Carthat that transported two of Ireland’s presidents, including Eamon de Valera, in the early years of the State can be found in the library. The former President of Ireland is portrayed in a larger than life bronze statue mounted on a limestone pedestalin the De Valera Monument & Park located near the Courthouse. Another famous figure celebrated in Ennis is Mohammed Ali Monument with a monument on the green in the Turnpike that was unveiled by “The Greatest” himself, it stands over 7 feet tall at the site of his Irish Ancestral home.

Limerick

The best way to discover Limerick is on The Red Viking Limerick City Tour hop on/ hop off bus that picks up at any one of 9 attractions in the city. You will most certainly be entertained with the wealth of history and folklore that Limerick City has to offer while enjoying the panoramic views.

King John’s Castle

King John’s Castle is a 13th century Castle located in the heart of medieval Limerick City. The stunning exhibition brings to life over 800 years of local history.

The visitor centre has state of the art activities and exhibitions that will connect you to tales of siege and warfare. Visitors to the Castle will enjoy the stunning array of computer generated animations and ghostly projections as they travel back through time.

When you are done exploring you can relax in the café while enjoying terrific views onto the castle courtyard. The train is the perfect way to travel with Limerick Colbert situated within a short walking distance of King John’s Castle and be sure to show your train ticket when you arrive to get 10% off admission.

The Hunt Museum

The Hunt Museum provides many activities, such as Tours, Arts and Crafts classes, kids’ activities, camps and lectures. During a visit to The Hunt Museum you can choose to explore the collection by yourself or take one of our regular guided tours. There is no extra charge for tours and they take approximately one hour but differ with each guide. The Hunt Museum is home to works by well-known artist such as Picasso, Renoir and Yeats along with stunning works from medieval times and the Celtic period.

A visit to the Jewellery Gallery and the Treasury are not to be missed as they house Mary Queen of Scots cross and the Greek coin reputed to be "one of the thirty pieces of silver" paid to Judas for the betrayal of Christ respectively.

St Mary's Cathedral

The Cathedral of St Mary Blessed Virgin occupies a very historic plot in Limerick City. In 1168, Donal Mor O’Brien, King of Munster, donated his palace, parts of which are possibly incorporated into the present structure. Previously, a Viking meetinghouse had been located there.

The cathedral's architecture is a mixture of the Gothic and Romanesque styles. It contains many interesting features, such as a stone altar and Lepers’ Squint, an opening in the wall that permitted lepers to hear Mass and receive Communion.

St Mary’s Cathedral stands above the Shannon River on King’s Island, where it was founded in 1168 AD. Today it is still used every day of the year for prayer - which is open to all.

Limerick City Gallery of Art

Limerick City Gallery of Art is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Ireland and home to an important collection of Irish 18th to 21st century art. Pieces on display in the gallery include works by Camille Souter, Evie Hone, William Orpen, Sean Keating and Paul Henry. Limerick City Gallery of Art also holds the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing.

The Gallery hosts the annual Exhibition of Visual+ Art International inviting a leading international curator to select from an open submission and invited artists to exhibit throughout Limerick City. The gallery has educational programmes and a range of free contextual and family events to complement each exhibition season.

Thomond Park

Follow in the footsteps of your Munster heroes by taking a look behind the scenes at the historic Thomond Park Stadium. The stadium tour takes you to places usually only accessible to players and officials. From a seat in the home dressing room to a walk down the tunnel, the tour gives you a unique opportunity to experience how the Munster players feel on big match days.

*Photos credited to Failte Ireland

Tags: attractions, Ennis, Irish Rail, Limerick, Thomond Park, train, transport

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