The Liberator and one of the 60 great (public) places (on the planet)

"The Liberator" in Ennis, a photo by david sankey on Flickr.

O'Connell Street

County Clare

Ennis, Ireland

Contributed by Project for Public Spaces ---translated into English by sankey --- for the original, go to http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=173

Along with the two other main streets that branch off of Ennis' central O'Connell Square, O'Connell street bustles with activity at all hours.

• For more images of O'Connell Street or other places, try searching our Image Collection

Why It Works Cars, lorries, bicycles and pedestrians are all accommodated naturally. The well-cared-for street has everything from pubs and music halls to department stores and chemists, making it relevant day and night, for all ages and interests. Although the scale of the street is quite narrow, including pavements, cars and walkers are treated well. Beautiful hanging plants adorn the lamp posts, and cobblestoned crossings and intersections indicate where to cross the road.

What Makes O'Connell Street a Great Place?

• The scale of the town centre is easily walkable
• Although the scale of the street is quite narrow, including pavements, cars and walkers are treated well, beautiful hanging plants adorn the lampposts and cobblestoned crossings and intersections indicate where people cross the street.
• The well-cared-for street has everything from pubs and music halls to department stores and chemists, making it relevant day and night, for all ages and interests. O'Connell Square, at the top of the street, is a natural gathering place.

History & Background

Ennis is a county seat with a growing population, estimated at approximately 20,000. One of the larger cities in Ireland [surely not - definitely NOT a city merely a county town, DS], it is a cultural center as well, hosting serveral of Ireland's best-known traditional music festivals. Ennis blossomed as a market town in the late 1700s.

O'Connell Street and O'Connell Square honour Daniel O'Connor, an MP for Clare in the mid-1800s and pivotal Catholic politician and leader. A statue of O'Connell stands in the square, on the site of the old courthouse. [O'Connell Street was formerly "Gaol Street" Jail Street. DS] The town was founded in 1208 by the O'Briens, who built a castle on the edge of the modern town, which lies on the River Fergus. The O'Briens ruled until they vacated Ennis for Bunratty Castle.

Related Links:

• Web cam of O'Connell Square - .
• History of Ennis - .
• 60 of the World's Great Places - O'Connell Street was named one of the 60 greatest places in the world 
• See also my previous blog http://londonlandscapeobservatory.blogspot.com/2011/09/ennis-2011.html