Ennis is the county town of Clare and the Cathedral town of the diocese of Killaloe. The origins of the town are usually traced to the foundation of the Franciscan Friary c.1250; A Medieval town grew up and the present narrow streets and alleys of the town centre still reflect the medieval town plan. Ennis is best explored on foot. In the original square stands a statue of Daniel O'Connell, who, by being elected M.P. for Clare in 1828 forced the passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 and the removal of most of the remaining disabilities under which Catholics had suffered since the Penal Laws.

Ennis has an excellent Library and has won several European prizes and was one of the first town libraries in Ireland. The River Fergus runs through the middle of Ennis, and is a well-known trout and salmon fishery. At one time small sailing boats made their way up-river from the Shannon and berthed in the centre of the town at Woodquay.

In 1998 it was designated as Ireland's first 'Information Age Town'. This meant it was chosen to pioneer the introduction and popularisation of Information Technology and a large proportion of the town's inhabitants were supplied with a computer.