Description
Ennis Friary is an ancient Franciscan monastic ruin positioned in the heart of Ennis town centre. Founded in the 13th century by the powerful O’Brien kings of Thomond, this historic site features a vast collection of decorative stone carvings and centuries-old architectural remains. It stands as one of the most compelling educational things to do with kids in County Clare, offering families a direct window into early medieval monastic life and art.
The venue provides an affordable, low-cost option for a historical family excursion. Standard admission ticket prices to view the internal limestone structures and sculptures start at just €3.00 for children and students, €5.00 for adults, and a comprehensive family pass is available for €13.00. This clear and exceptionally economical entry scheme allows parents to organize an engaging historical day out without exceeding the family budget.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines genuine archaeological discovery with intriguing local heritage, this medieval monument is an ideal destination. Children can closely inspect 500-year-old stone figures, explore the ancient graves of medieval kings, and learn how a community of over 300 friars once lived and studied on the site. Its central location makes it incredibly convenient to access while ensuring a memorable educational stop for school-aged kids.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Interactive Sculpture Discovery: Children can view an exceptional wealth of 15th- and 16th-century limestone sculptures carved by early Irish craftsmen.
- Royal Burial History: The site functions as a historic resting place, detailing the lives of medieval kings and the centuries of townspeople buried within the walls.
- Central Town Centre Access: Tucked just off the busy local shopping avenues, the monument offers a quick, accessible pocket of tranquil heritage.
Highlights
- The Figure of St Francis: The figure of St Francis is a highly significant 15th-century stone carving situated within the ancient limestone nave walls. This detailed depiction shows the patron saint of the order explicitly displaying his stigmata wounds to medieval worshippers. Children will enjoy searching the stone walls to find this hidden figure and seeing how stone carvers told stories without words.
- The Gothic East Window: The Gothic east window is a magnificent, multi-light openings structure positioned prominently at the far end of the quiet chancel. This towering stone framework was designed to flood the main altar area with dramatic natural light during early morning church services. Kids can marvel at its sheer height and see how medieval builders constructed grand openings without modern machinery.
- The MacMahon Tomb Carvings: The MacMahon tomb carvings are a series of intricate, highly decorated relief panels depicting vivid historical scenes from the Passion of Christ. These famous medieval carvings showcase standard Roman soldiers, early armor types, and weeping figures etched directly into the hard local limestone. It serves as a fantastic visual narrative that allows older children to study historical craftsmanship up close.
- The High Bell Tower: The high bell tower is a landmark 500-year-old square structure that stands proudly over the Ennis town skyline. Built originally around 1450, this historic tower has survived multiple lighting strikes, structural collapses, and historical military occupations across the centuries. Young explorers can look up at the massive supporting piers and examine the ancient spiral staircase leading upward.
- The Preserved Sacristy Gravestones: The preserved sacristy gravestones are a collection of over 300 inscribed grave markers located within the sheltered internal chambers. Because these stone markers were kept safe from harsh outdoor elements, their decorative details, symbols, and trade markers are easily readable. Kids can read the ancient carvings to discover the names of real blacksmiths, public officials, and soldiers.
Beyond the Main Attraction: The central location of the monument inside the historical town ensures families have plenty of extra options nearby. Just 27.3km down the regional road sits the impressive Askeaton Castle, a ruined stronghold of the Earls of Desmond featuring large stone halls. Families can also travel 33.8km to explore the defensive fortifications of Adare Castle or enjoy an outdoor riverside walk along its old medieval banks. For a local treat, the surrounding streets of Ennis Town offer plenty of child-friendly traditional ice cream shops, cozy bakeries, and bustling family-run lunch cafés.
19.80 miles
