Ennis Friary and Scattery Island are the only two guided OPW sites in county Clare (to date).

Situated in a county with such a rich heritage our guides are regularly questioned about other sites visitors encounter while traveling through the county. Quin Friary and Clare Abbey regularly feature here in Ennis and our guides over the years have compiled a brief handout to inform those wishing to learn more on these nearby sites. A service I believe many of our colleagues
around the country also provide, giving information on sites other than their own.

In conjunction with the Visitor Services 2024 project to promote the unguided sites within the OPW portfolio, the Ennis Friary guide team undertook a project to discover and promote a selection of our Clare unguided sites. Twelve were chosen to display some of the variety of our built and social heritage. Many of the sites have a link to the O’Brien clan, former kings of Thomond and founders of Ennis Friary, and thus a link to our
own site. This research is kept on file in hard copy at reception for our guides and visitors and is available through our social media for all to access.

During the 2024 season, the Ennis Friary Guides embarked on an exciting journey to uncover some of County Clare’s most extraordinary, but often overlooked, historic gems. Starting as a bi-monthly Facebook campaign, our goals included raising public awareness of Clare’s many historic sites, expanding our own online community, and inspiring visits to Ennis Friary itself.

Throughout the season, we researched and visited sites spanning from the Stone Age to the Medieval period, sharing insights on structures such as portal tombs, ring forts, abbeys and castles. One thing we hadn’t anticipated was how deeply the research would impact us. As a team, we’ve shared quiet moments, excitedly recounting the discoveries we’ve made about the places
we’ve chosen to explore. We’ve shared stories that bring Clare’s rich history to life, such as:

– The fierce, bloody battle fought between two opposing O’Brien
factions at Clare Abbey
– The ancient inauguration site of Magh Adhair were the O’Brien Kings of old dramatically chose to perch atop the tomb of a mighty Firbolg warrior
– Kilnaboy Church, a site of sacred pilgrimage once believed to house a relic of the true cross
– And captivating discussions on the breathtaking medieval stone carvings that still stand proudly at some of these historic heritage sites today!

With the Ennis Friary’s Guides’ shared passion, we haven’t only shared Clare’s wonders with others through social media, we’ve also deepened our own appreciation and love for this beautiful
county we call home.

This social media campaign has culminated in the “Unmanned Sites of County Clare” series, now accessible on the Ennis Friary Blog. With Ennis Friary closing for the winter season, we hope
to encourage our followers and history enthusiasts to explore these historic sites in person and through our digital content, enhancing their connection and appreciation to Clare’s historical past.

To find out more about the Unmanned Historic Sites of County Clare please see https://ennisfriary.wordpress.
com/2024/10/08/unmanned-historicsites-
of-co-clare/ for further details.