Ennis - City of Ireland

Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway on the main N18 road connecting these two cities. Its name is a shortening of the original Inis Cluain Ramh Fhada . The town is located only twelve miles from Shannon and Shannon Airport. It is a gateway town to the beautiful west coast of Clare, which consists one of Ireland's greatest tourist attractions, The Cliffs of Moher.

The name Ennis comes from the Irish word "Inis", which means an island formed between two courses of the River Fergus and on which the Franciscan Abbey was built. The past of Ennis is greatly associated with the O'Brien family, who were descendants of Brian Boru. During the 12th century the O'Brien's who were Kings of Thomond, left their seat of power in Limerick and built a royal residence at Clonroad on the then island.

The Town contains several old British military barracks, which were built over the centuries. The Clare Road and Clonroad areas contain terraced cottages, built in the Early 20th century to house soldiers. On Station Road, once stood a prison. Many Ennis men fought for the British Army during The First World War.

The River Fergus runs through the middle of Ennis, and is a well-known trout and salmon fishery. At one time small sailing boats made their way up river from the Shannon and berthed in the centre of the town at Woodquay. This area of the Town along with Parnell Street and Mill Road was routinely susceptible to flooding, until the Ennis main drainage scheme in 2008 put an end to the event.

Primary Schools in Ennis include Ennis National School, established in 1897 , Cloughleigh National School, Gaelscoil Mhicíl Cíosóg, Holy Family School & CBS. There are several secondary level schools located in Ennis, including Rice College, Ennis Community College, Colaiste Mhuire, St. Flannan's College, and Gaelcholaiste an Chláir. The Ennis Business college is one of Ennis's 3rd level facilities.

Ennis is a stronghold of traditional music with many musicians in residence and regularly playing locally. The town is host each May to the annual Fleadh Nua, a traditional music festival. The Glór Irish Music Centre, hosts music concerts, comedy acts and plays. There is a thriving Rock music scene in Ennis with bands playing at Glor, and Pubs around the town . The night life is greatly influenced by people coming into the town from the outer areas becuase of the town's number of night clubs and pubs.