This article is from page 15 of the 2012-08-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE retention and preservation of old buildings in Ennis must play a role in the future development of the town, according to a leading local historian.
Ennis man Brian Ó Dálaigh, a former director of the Merriman summer school, says too many buildings of historical interest have been lost to demolition in the past.
He was speaking in Ennis on Friday night at the launch of his latest publication, the Ennis Atlas. Published by the Royal Irish Academy, the Atlas traces the urban development of Ennis from 1200 to 1900.
Mr Ó Dálaigh says the future of Ennis can be influenced by the how the town developed in the past.
He said, “From my point of view I think they should try and keep as much of the old character of the town as possible, particularly from a tourist point of view. Now that’s not always possible. But in Ennis I get the impression they have resorted to demolition too quickly in the past. There are other options for old buildings besides demolition. That’s would I would be inclined to say, to keep as much of the character within reason.”
He also welcomed recent renovations to the historic 13th century Ennis Friary.
He says, “I like it. It’s a pity they didn’t roof the chancel as well. I think it needs it because a whole lot of the carved stone has been weathered. It’s a good move in the long term but it means all the stone carvings will be displayed out of context because its been taken out of the chancel and into the nave. But it’s the better of two evils at this stage to keep it out of the weather.”
Mr Ó Dálaigh, a Dublin based school principle, grew up the Carmody Street area of Ennis where his father worked as a cooper. He said he was proud to have written a history of his native town.
The Atlas also explores how the famine devastated the population of the town.
Mr Ó Dálaigh explains, “Ennis grew up until the famine period, 1845-46. At that time it had a population of over 9000 people. It was the largest population recorded for the town under the 1832 boundary. After the famine, there was a collapse practically in the population of the town so between 1845 and 1901 the town lost almost half its population. It fell from just over 9000 to about 5000. The poverty in Ennis was endemic, a very impoverished town.
“Emigration took hold particularly to Australia. With the coming of the railways to Ennis in 1859, it practically emptied the back lanes of the town.”