The growth and development of the Clare town of Ennis seen through the existing streets and buildings.
Like many towns, Ennis developed around a river in this case the Fergus. By 1650, the town was still not commercially significant but there were signs of growth as a few merchants built substantial houses. One such merchant was John Cruise, whose house dates from 1658 and still stands next to the abbey. The remains of Carmody's Hotel stand across the road. The hotel was partially destroyed by fire ten years ago. Carmody's provided lodgings for figures such as Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell.
The story goes that Parnell met Kitty O'Shea in Carmody's.
Located further up the street is Crowe's House, now home to the Garda Síochána barracks.
Abbey Street, formerly Church Street, was residential as the town expanded, so too did Church Street. As trade grew, the houses omn the street were rebuilt and few of the originals remain. Prosperity is demonstrated by the height of the houses on the street. In 1788, there were apothecaries, saddlers, nine grocers, and three distillers on the street.
In the oldest part of Church Street, a house sits in which Patrick Sarsfield may have taken refuge following the Battle of Aughrim. Buildings alongside still have their Elizabethan chimney stacks. In 1840, the tallest house in the town, standing at four stories high, belonged to a merchant named James Leech. By this time, many of the ground floor buildings were taken over by shops.
This episode of 'Anthology' was broadcast on 25 November 1970. The presenter is Patrick Gallagher.
