Devenish Island

About Devenish Island

Devenish is a small grass-and-stone island in Lower Lough Erne, a couple of miles below Enniskillen. A monastery was founded here in the 6th century by Saint Molaise (Mo Laisse, the patron saint of the diocese of Clogher) and continued in some form for more than a thousand years afterwards, through the Viking raids of the 9th century, the burning in 1157, and the later refoundation as an Augustinian priory.

The headline structure is the round tower, built in the 12th century and standing complete to its conical cap at about 25 metres (81 feet). It is one of the best-preserved round towers in Ireland. Four small windows at the top face the cardinal points, each with a carved human head above it, and a moulded cornice runs around the cap. The doorway is set high above the ground in the usual round-tower fashion — reached by ladder, defended easily, and visible from the lough.

Around the tower are the ruins of two churches: Teampall Mór ("the great church", 13th century, on a Romanesque foundation) and the smaller St Molaise's House, a 12th-century oratory just to the south. On a slightly higher rise stands the much larger ruin of St Mary's Augustinian Priory, 15th century, with a fragment of cloister and a fine carved high cross beside it. The site is a layered one. A medieval re-use of an early-medieval foundation, with bits of every century visible to the patient eye.

Devenish was, in its day, the most important of Lough Erne's island monasteries. The reason was partly the saint and partly the route. The lough connected Ulster to Connacht and to the sea via the Erne and the Shannon, and the island sat in the middle of that water network. The local annals record bishops, scholars and a long list of raids.

The site is now in State Care, managed by the Historic Environment Division. There is a small visitor centre on the island with a museum, opening in summer only. Outside those hours the island remains open and the ruins are freely walkable.

Essential information

Getting there

Short ferry from Trory Point (about 3 miles north of Enniskillen on the A32). MV Kestrel and the Erne Water Taxi run scheduled and on-demand sailings.

Time on island

Allow about 90 minutes ashore for a proper look at the four ruins and the cross. Most ferry trips fit two hours total.

Underfoot

Grass paths, often damp. Trainers fine in summer, boots better in winter. The rise to the priory is gentle.

Pair with White Island

A separate ferry from Castle Archdale gets you to White Island and its eight 12th-century stone figures — a natural second stop for a Lough Erne morning.

Dogs

Usually welcome on the ferry and the island, on a lead. Check with the operator before booking.

Refreshments

Nothing on the island. Pack a flask, or eat in Enniskillen before or after.