The Old Ground Hotel
- Star Rating 4 Star
- Location Ennis, Co. Clare
- Open All Year Round
The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is a former Manor House dating back to the 18th century. Although its ivy-clad exterior retains all the splendour of a by-gone age, inside, all the conveniences of a modern hotel prevail.
The exceptionally welcoming atmosphere of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis persists to this day and strikes you from the first greeting, to the brightly burning turf fire in the lobby.
The Old Ground is located right in the heart of Ennis, making it the ideal location from which to explore an authentic Irish market town.
Rooms at The Old Ground
The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis has recently undergone a significant refurbishment programme.
All bedrooms are stylishly and thoughtfully designed with guest's ultimate comfort in mind. Fresh, white crisp linen and the softest duvets and pillows ensure a great night's sleep.
Superior rooms are beautifully appointed with sitting areas, Power showers and a complimentary range of Aveda toiletries, to allow for a little pampering. Rooms with air-conditioning, sound systems and wireless Internet access can be requested.
The Brendan O'Regan and O'Connell Suites are the latest additions to the Old Ground and are set in the beautifully restored 17th century Manor House area of the hotel. Recently designed in an eclectic style, with some of the suites enjoying views of the winding, colourful main street of Ennis, O'Connell Street, these suites are truly a treat!
All suites are spacious, have separate sitting areas, LCD TVs and DVD players and offer free WI-FI service.
Guest Services Include:
- Residents Library
- Wireless Internet Access
- Private Computer Booth
- Room Service
- Babysitting Serive
- Wake-up Calls
- Complimentary Tea & Coffee in Room
- Laundry Service
- Touring Advice
- Activity Arrangements, including Golfing Tee-times
Dining at The Old Ground Hotel
The Old Ground Hotel offers three very different dining options to choose from:
Town Hall Bistro
Located in one of Ennis' most historical buildings, yet enjoying modern, creative cooking, the Town Hall Bistro entrances locals and guests alike.Excellent coffee and freshly baked scones are enjoyed as a mid-morning break and a tasty, bistro-style lunch menu is served throughout the day. Treat yourself to an afternoon tea with a slice of Winter-berry Crumble or Pear and Chocolate Tart.
However, it is night-time when the Town Hall truly comes into its own. Original art acts as a theatrical backdrop to intimate, candlelit tables, creating a perfect setting for an exquisite dining experience.
O'Brien Room Restaurant
The O'Brien Room at The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is a traditional, yet elegant space. Reflecting this, the menu offers excellent traditional choices, each with a creative twist. Seasonal, fresh local produce is used to ensure the best of flavours are brought to each dish.Choose a Warm King Scallops or Grilled Inagh Goats Cheese to start, followed by an Irish Sirloin Steak or Grilled Black Sole fresh from the sea. Indulge in a Bailey's Cheesecake or an Irish Coffee to finish.
The Poet's Corner
The Poet's Corner is noted for its comfortable atmosphere, where locals and visitors can enjoy a tasty, yet informal meal,have a drink, or share a story or two. When the weather turns blustery and cold outside, the warm and intimate alcoves are heaven sent. Enjoy a hot Irish whiskey or a 'Pint of Plain' at the bar.The Poet's Corner plays host to the finest traditional Irish musicians from Thursday to Sunday nights.
History of the Old Ground Hotel
The Old Ground Hotel was built by Barry Upton & John Dwyer in the early part of the 18th Century as a private dwelling. Upton & Dwyer subsequently leased the building to Charles Mahon for a period of "Three Lives". When Mahon died in 1822 his son Charles Jnr. took over the lease. On the 13th February 1863 Charles handed the property over to his nephew John Mahon, who then resided in London. John left London and traveled to Ireland. Riding on horseback from Limerick to Ennis to take up residence, he arrived at the mansion to be greeted by an old retainer with the words "You are welcome to the Old Ground Sir." The warmth of the greeting and the sincerity behind it immediately influenced the owner to call his mansion "The Old Ground" and this name it has retained to the present day.
It would appear that Mahon actually became owner of the property as on the 10th December 1875 he then sold it to a John Petty. Presumably Petty died sometime between 1875 & 1886, as in 1886 a William Hynes M.D. became a tenant in the house. In 1895 approximately Jane McNamara acquired it and thus turned it into a hotel. The McNamara's sold the premises (exact date unknown) and it has a chequered history thereafter. Eventually the bank acquired it and in 1927 James O Regan bought it from them for approximately £2,000.
In 1946, with the advent of scheduled transatlantic flights into Shannon Airport, an extension was built onto the house. The Lounge beside the old reception area, known as the Blue Lounge was a communal room for T.W.A. The cocktail bar was where Reception is now and was used by Pan Am. Meals were served throughout the night.
Next door to the Old Ground was the town hall, which incorporated a jail. In 1963 the O'Regan family who owned a large residence in Bindon Street, swapped it for the town hall, with the town commissioners. The Town Hall is now the Banquet Suite. In former times there was a bridge leading from an upper window of the town hall across the street to an exercise ground for the prisoners. The jail was used more as a depot where prisoners were kept while awaiting deportation to Australia and Tasmania.
It is not known exactly when the jail ceased being used for this purpose. Later, the Grand Jury, who held the jail on the payment of a shilling, gave it to another government department. It had been intended to open it as a Library, but it was, in fact, acquired by the Grand Jury once more where it was used a court house and later closed to become a library, It was then sold to the Town Commissioners who in turn sold the entire premises to the O'Regans.
Some years ago there were excavations carried out and the dungeons were discovered under the building with chains attached to the walls (the chains are now in Ennis Museum). Underneath the floor of the dungeon a flowing river is tidal as far as Ennis. This branch of the river formed an island, thus giving the town its name, i.e. Inis, meaning Island. The fireplace in the Lemenagh Hall (formerly the jail) was originally in Lemenagh Castle (built by Conor O'Brien in 1553) and was given to the Old Ground by Gerard McDonagh of Dromoland Castle, on the understanding that if Lemenagh Castle is ever restored the fireplace is to be returned.
The new section of bedrooms, which is known as the New Wing, was built in 1966. The O'Regans sold the hotel to Kingster Windsor Hotels in 1967 and Strand Hotels subsequently acquired it in 1970. It again changed ownership in 1977 when it was incorporated into The Forte Group and in 1995 was purchased by Allen Flynn and is now part of the Flynn Hotels Group.
About Ennis Town
Located just 15 miles from Shannon Airport, Ennis is the county town of Clare and is always pleasantly busy. It takes its name from the Irish word “inis” (island) as it is virtually surrounded by the River Fergus on which it sits. Its streets are narrow and attractive, some of them pedestrianised. The Friary at the bottom of Abbey Street, was founded by the O’Briens in the 13th century. Many of its original features survive and it’s well worth visiting. But the main attraction in Ennis is the locals' obvious love of traditional music. Every May the town hosts Fleadh Nua, an international celebration of Irish culture, while in November, the Ennis Trad Festival is held. But trad music of the very highest quality is on display in the pubs of Ennis throughout the year. It often seems that those in the town that can't sing or play an instrument are very much in the minority. The person who recently labeled Ennis the Nashville of traditional Irish music wasn't far wrong.
The following locations are in close proximity to Ennis
Bunratty (20 minutes)
Bunratty is located on the river Shannon - a charming little village that oozes character.Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, is high on the list of Ireland's top visitor attractions. If you want to learn about Ireland and how the Irish lived in earlier times, Bunratty's Folk Park is a must. Entire houses of various sizes and dates have been taken apart stone-by-stone and reassembled here, along with a school, a pub, a church, a row of shops, and other buildings. What makes it especially enjoyable is watching activities, including scones and bread being made, as well as work being carried out in the little fields. Chat with the staff; they are very friendly and informative. Bunratty's most obvious attraction is its imposing castle which overlooks the river Shannon. Once the stronghold of the O’Briens, kings and later earls of Thomond, it reflects their style and power. Its Great Hall has a very fine collection of 14th-century furniture, paintings and wall hangings and also hosts medieval banquets which anyone can attend with plenty of entertainment as well as food and drink. Finally no visit to Bunratty would be complete without a pint of plain in the world-famous Durty Nelly's Pub located right next to the castle.
Doolin & The Cliffs of Moher (45 minutes)
The small coastal village of Doolin is located on County Clare’s wild Atlantic coast. The surrounding area has much of interest including the barren yet strikingly beautiful Burren region with, among other things, the 5,000 year-old Poulnabrone Dolmen. Also worth a visit is Doonagore Castle and of course the spectacular 650-foot high Cliffs of Moher, which are only a few miles from Doolin. But the real reason people flock to Doolin from all over the world is the traditional music in the local pubs. Until recently Doolin had only three pubs. There are now some new establishments on the scene but we recommend sticking to the old reliables: McGann’s, McDermots and O’Connor’s. Even at that you will be spoilt for choice. Each pub is full most nights with musicians and music lovers alike. Be sure to check out all three!Galway City (1 hour)
In a recent nationwide survey the people of Galway were found to be Ireland's happiest! And visiting Galway City, the capital of their county it is not hard to see why. It is a lively university city of narrow streets, quaint shopfronts, bustling pubs and stunning surrounding scenery. It has always attracted a bohemian mix of musicians, artists and intellectuals and that attitude is palpable as you walk the streets. Galway has been commercially important since the 11th century when it was a centre for trade with Spain and Portugal. In 1477 Christopher Columbus paid a visit. Galway earned the title “City of the Tribes” around that time, when it was ruled by 14 wealthy merchant families. Today it is lively, with loads of things to do, and is so popular that it can get very crowded in summer, especially during the annual Galway Races. The annual Arts Festival also attracts thousands, especially for its street parade, organized by the multi-award winning production company, Macnas. Its famous Druid Theatre produces and stages plays and has toured internationally, winning awards, including Tonys on Broadway.Adare Heritage Village (1 hour)
Adare is a quaint picturesque village lined with traditional thatched-roof cottages. Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland's prettiest and most unique village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare (Gaelic name: "Ath Dara" - the "ford of the oak" - from the combination of water and woodland) dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. Adare village has a rich wealth of heritage, as well as architectural and scenic beauty. Two groups of world famous, ornate, thatched cottages line part of the village's broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins. Situated in the centre of County Limerick, with just 15 minutes from Limerick City and 45 minutes from Shannon Airport, Adare Village is an ideal base from which to explore County Limerick's many visitor attractions such as Lough Gur and King John's CastleConnemara (2 hours)
Northwest of Galway lies the rocky, barren, but breathtakingly stunning region of Connemara. This area is one of the few remaining in Ireland where the native tongue (Gaeilge) is still fluently spoken as a first language. Stop off in the fishing village of Roundstone, where currachs, old style featherweight rowing boats are still in everyday use. The village also boasts an impressive crafts complex, selling everything from teapots and sweaters to traditional Irish music instruments. Clifden, Connemara's capital is well worth a visit and the scenic Sky Road drive just outside town should not be missed. From here travel north to see the exquisite neo-gothic Kylemore Abbey, nestled in a lush forest on the edge of Kylemore Lake. However long you spend in Connemara you will be constantly enchanted by the ever changing scenery of mountains and valleys, lakes and beaches and bays. This is Ireland's big sky country.We value your privacy! We will never share your details with anyone else.




