Wine and dine in Ennis

One piece of essential advice if you’re planning to visit Ennis anytime soon – don’t forget to pack your appetite!

Lining the large streets and squares, and hidden down the intriguing bow-ways, wherever you go in Ennis, there’s a tempting food or drink offering. Start the day with a traditional fry-up in Cairde, savour a delicious lunch at Mondo. Then, as the sun goes down, you can choose to go formal with a bistro-style dinner at The Town Hall, or visit The Rowan Tree where you can eat by the open fire or outside on the terrace overlooking the river (Irish weather depending!). There’s Sweet N Green for those who like a healthier option, and Henry’s for those who prefer progressive modern Irish cuisine. 

And, of course, there’s pub grub! Our pubs are legendary and always make for a good night out. Many of them – like Brogan’s, Knox’s and Cruise’s – also serve top-quality food, as well as brilliant trad music, so you can line your stomach and tap your foot as you sup.

What makes Ennis nightlife so appealing – earning us the coveted Purple Flag (a kind of ‘gold standard’ for night-time destinations) –  is the superb mix of all these offerings. For instance, on Barrack Street, you can sip wine and eat al fresco, thanks to The Gourmet Store and Passatempo; at the other end of town, next to the Queen’s Hotel, you’ll find No 41, the perfect spot for a carefully prepared cocktail and some top-notch dining. On Parnell Street, Lucas’s serves up pints and craic a-plenty, while McHugh’s boasts its own locally-produced beer, the famous Western Herd. Taylor’s has mastered the art of the G&T and the fires are always lighting. And in-between, you’ll find some of the most charming little pubs and bars and eateries that you’ve ever encountered. There’s even a guided whiskey tasting trail that will bring you on a tour of the town’s pubs and bars, sampling the best that Irish whiskey has to offer as you go. 

From quality local produce to perfectly-poured pints to some of the best live trad music in the world, Ennis has it all. But you have been warned – bring your appetite!