Ennis Town Hall

Nestled in the heart of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, the Ennis Town Hall stands as a testament to the town's rich history and architectural elegance. This neoclassical gem, located on O'Connell Street, has been a central figure in the town's narrative since its completion around 1850. Originally serving as the hub for civic administration, today it has transformed into a charming banqueting suite for the Old Ground Hotel, offering visitors a unique blend of historical significance and modern hospitality.

The History of Ennis Town Hall

In the mid-19th century, the civic leaders of Ennis recognized the need for a dedicated town hall to serve the growing community. The chosen site was historically significant, previously housing the local police barracks, which itself was a conversion of the old county gaol. This gaol had a rather grim past, being used in the early 19th century as a holding facility for prisoners destined for transportation to Australia, including Tasmania.

The new town hall was designed in the neoclassical style, a popular architectural choice of the era. Its symmetrical main frontage, composed of five bays, faces onto what was once Jail Street, now known as O'Connell Street. The central and outer bays feature round-headed doorways adorned with archivolts and keystones, while the windows on the second and fourth bays are segmental-headed, also with archivolts and keystones. The first floor is graced with six square-headed recessed sash windows, each framed with architraves and keystones. Decorative friezes featuring barbed quatrefoils above the ground floor and roundels above the first floor add to the building's ornate charm. Prominent eaves supported by brackets complete the elegant design.

From Civic Hub to Banqueting Suite

Ennis Town Hall's role in the community evolved over time. Ennis was granted town commissioners under the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854, and these commissioners, along with their successors, the urban district council formed under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, held their meetings in the town hall. During World War I, the building even served as a cinema, though not without controversy; Bishop Michael Fogarty of Killaloe famously criticized the films shown there, referring to the hall as a hell shop.

The town hall also played host to significant political events. Notably, Éamon de Valera, a key figure in Irish history, visited regularly. Just two days before the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, de Valera briefed the public in the town hall on the political situation, marking the building as a site of historical importance.

In 1963, the Ennis Town Hall saw a significant change in its use. The Regan family, proprietors of the Old Ground Hotel, entered into an asset swap with the urban district council. The council acquired a town house at No. 1 Bindon Road for their new headquarters, while the Regan family took ownership of the town hall, transforming it into a banqueting suite for their hotel. Over the years, the Old Ground Hotel and the town hall changed hands several times, being acquired by Kingston Windsor Hotels in 1967, Strand Hotels in 1970, and the Flynn Hotel Group in 1995.

A Visit from Muhammad Ali

One of the more recent and memorable events in the town hall's history occurred in September 2009 when the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali visited. Ali had discovered that his maternal great-grandfather, Abe Grady, had emigrated from Ennis to the United States in the 1860s. This connection led him to tour the town, including a visit to the historic town hall, much to the delight of the local community.

Exploring the Ennis Town Hall Today

Today, visitors to Ennis can experience the town hall in its current incarnation as part of the Old Ground Hotel. The building's historical architecture has been lovingly preserved, offering a picturesque setting for banquets and events. The main assembly room, now known as the Banner Room, remains a highlight, providing a glimpse into the grandeur of the building's past.

While the town hall no longer serves as the center of civic administration, its walls continue to echo the stories of Ennis's rich history. From its origins as a police barracks and county gaol to its transformation into a town hall and now a banqueting suite, the building stands as a symbol of the town's resilience and adaptability.

For those visiting Ennis, a stop at the town hall offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the architectural beauty and historical significance of this remarkable building. Whether attending an event at the Old Ground Hotel or simply admiring the facade from O'Connell Street, the Ennis Town Hall is a must-see landmark that embodies the spirit and heritage of this charming Irish town.