Inis, Co. an Chláir

Ennis, Co. Clare

Ennis Friary is located on Abbey Street, Ennis, and is just around the corner from the present Franciscan friary on Francis Street. The old friary was founded in c.1240 by Donnach O'Brien on an island ("inis " in Gaelic from which the town derives its name) near his castle. It had a flourishing school in the fifteenth century. The town of Ennis grew up around the friary and castle. Much remains of Ennis Friary which is notable for its bas-reliefs, masons' marks and cut stonework. The Office of Public Works (OPW) recently re-roofed the main nave and created an exhibition space for its historic tombs and carvings. Deceased friars were buried here up to a few years ago. Displayed below are just some of its wildflowers.

Ennis town and its historic friary are situated next to the River Fergus which rises just south of The Burren and a few kilometres north-west of Corofin village. It flows through several Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's), Special Protection Areas (SPA's) and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHA's) as well as Corofin, Ennis and the village of Clarecastle before eventually entering the Shannon estuary. The River Fergus is itself part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In the centre of the town next to the River Fergus is the Post Office field, a flood plain of the river which is frequented by a variety of birds. On the northern outskirts of the town, Ballyallia lake is a Ramsar site - an internationally important wetland.

There is plenty to do and see in Ennis with the county museum and four historic walking trails around the town. The people are friendly and in the evenings, live traditional music is played in some of the local pubs.

Praying Nature at Ennis Friary

Give yourself a moment to become still, and let yourself become aware of the gentle loving presence of God with you now. Read the piece of the psalm below until it resonates through your being. Then click on a photo, and just sit back, gaze & listen to God speaking to you: