Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

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

References

Ó Dálaigh, B. 2012 Irish Historic Towns Atlas, No. 25. Ennis. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin.

Ua Cróinín, R. and Breen, M. 1992 The hidden towers. The Other Clare 16, 5-10.

Ó Dálaigh, B. 1987 Thomas Moland's survey of Ennis, 1703. The Other Clare 11, 12-17.