class="apple-converted-space"> Limerick
and built a royal residence at
Clonroad on the then island. During 1240 King Donnchadh O'Brien ordered the
construction of an extensive church grounds which he later donated to recently
formatted followers of St. Francis. The centuries which followed bore great
activity. The Friars keep was expanded and students came in great flocks to
study at the theological college. The Friars, who were free to move about, met
the spiritual needs of the local population. It was a religious centre until
the
Dissolution of the
Monasteries. Because it never had town walls it became a location for many
Catholic merchants from Limerick when Catholics were forbidden to reside in the
walled towns by the Penal Laws, and much of its past prosperity is attributable
to this influx.
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 20thcentury to
house soldiers. On Station Road, once stood a prison. Many Ennis men fought for
the British Army during The First World War.
Politically, Ennis has always been
considered a
