Page 195 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

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7 Dysert O’Dea
Road map 4 B. Corrofin, Co Clare.
@ from Ennis. Tel 065 683 7401.
Open May–Sep: 10am–6pm daily;
Oct–Apr: by appointment. & -
∑ dysertcastle.com
Dysert O’Dea Castle stands on
a rocky outcrop 9 km (6 miles)
north of Ennis. This tower house,
erected in the 15th century, is
home to the Archaeology
Centre, which includes a small
museum and also marks the
start of a trail around nearby 15th-century Knappogue Castle, County Clare
historic sights. A map of the path, R Ennis Friary
designed for both walkers and Ennis can trace its origins to
cyclists, is available in the castle. the 13th century and to the Abbey St. Tel 065 682 9100.
Open Easter–Oct: daily. & 7
Across a field from the castle O’Briens, Kings of Thomond,
is a monastic site said to have who were the area’s feudal Environs
been founded by the obscure overlords in the Middle Ages. The area around Ennis is rich
St Tola in the 8th century. The The Franciscan friary that they in monastic ruins. Just 3 km
ruins are overgrown and rather founded here in the 1240s is (2 miles) south of the town is
worn, but the Romanesque now the town’s main attraction. Clare Abbey, an Augustinian
carving above one doorway is Dating from the 14th and 15th foundation set up by the
still clear, and there is also an centuries, the ruined Ennis O’Briens in 1189 but dating
impressive 12th-century High Friary is famous for its rich mainly from the 1400s.
Cross, with a bishop sculpted on carvings and decorated tombs Quin Franciscan Friary, set
the east side (see p247). in the chancel – above all the in meadows 13 km (8 miles)
Further south, the trail leads 15th-century MacMahon tomb southeast of Ennis, was also
past the remains of two stone with its finely carved alabaster built in the 15th century, and
forts, a ruined castle and the site panels. Extensive conservation incorporates the romantic ruins
of a 14th-century battle. work is ongoing here. of a Norman castle. The well-
Next door to the friary is a preserved cloister is one of the
delightful 17th-century house, finest of its kind in Ireland.
8 Ennis now Cruise’s restaurant, and
on the corner of nearby Francis
Road map 4B. Co Clare. * 25,000. 9 Knappogue
featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Castle
@ n Arthur’s Row (065 6828366). Street stands the Queen’s Hotel –
∑ ennis.ie
To the south, O’Connell Square Road map 4B. Quin, Co Clare.
Clare’s county town, on the banks has a monument to Daniel Tel 061 360788. Open May–Sep: daily.
of the River Fergus, is a charming O’Connell (see p46), & = 7 limited.
place with winding lanes that who was elected MP for Clare ∑ shannonheritage.com
recall its medieval beginnings. in 1828. He also gave his name
The town is also renowned for its to the town’s main street, where, A powerful local clan called
painted shop fronts and folk among the pubs and shops, you the MacNamaras erected
music festivals (known as fleadh can spot a medieval tower, a Knappogue Castle in 1467.
in Gaelic). It abounds in “singing” Jacobean chimney stack and Apart from a ten-year spell in
pubs and traditional music shops. an 18th-century arch. Cromwellian times, it stayed in
their hands until 1815. During
the War of Independence (see
pp48–9), the castle was used
by the revolutionary forces.
Knappogue is one of Ireland’s
most charmingly furnished
castles. The central tower
house is original, but the rest
is Neo-Gothic. Inside are fine
Elizabethan fireplaces and
linenfold wood panelling.
Medieval banquets are
staged in the castle from April
to October (see p340), with
Finely carved Romanesque doorway at Dysert O’Dea storytelling and singing.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp299–300 and pp316–18

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