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Devenish Monastic Site

Devenish Monastic Site is generally considered to be the most important of Lough Erne's many island church settlements. Devenish was founded in the 6th century by St Molaise. It was raided by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, but in the Middle Ages flourished as the site of a parish church and St Mary's Augustinian Priory.

There are extensive low earthworks on the hillside, but the earliest buildings are St Molaise's House (a very small church) and the fine round tower close by, both with striking Romanesque decorations from the 12th century.

Teampull Mór, the lower church, dates from the early 13th century and has a beautifully moulded south window. It was extended to the east in about 1300, while later additions include a residential wing to the north and the Maguire Chapel to the south, with 17th century heraldic slabs.

St Mary's Augustinian Priory on the hilltop dates from the middle 15th and early 16th centuries, with church, tower and small north cloister. In its graveyard stands an unusual, intricately-carved cross of the middle 15th century.

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Devenish Monastic Site
Lower Lough Erne
Co. Fermanagh

Tel: (028) 6862 1588 (Castle Archdale Country Park)

Tel: (077) 0205 2873 (Devenish Ferry mobile - see 'Directions' tab for pick-up point)


Opening times:

NIEA Ferry from Trory (see directions tab) runs daily from Good Friday to September (weather permitting).

Centre open daily from 10am to 6pm, with set sailings June to August, otherwise on demand.

October to Easter: Closed

Ferry charges:

Adult: £3, Child/OAP: £2, Pre-booked school parties: £1 - This includes a guide.

In special circumstances visits may be made outside of these hours. Please contact the numbers below to discuss your requirements.

Booking and queries:

For information on visits to Devenish, including arranging educational visits, please contact NIEA at Castle Archdale Country Park on (028) 6862 1588.
For the Devenish Ferry, please call (077) 0205 2873 (See 'Directions' tab for pick-up point)

The site is accessible by the new NIEA ferry from Trory Point, which can accommodate wheelchair users and those with difficulty walking. They should, however, note that the paths on the Island are quite steep. Visitors who wish to access the Island as part of a tour of Lower Lough Erne can catch the MV Kestrel from Enniskillen.

The Devenish ferry (Molaise III) is fully DDA compliant. The island itself has limited disabled access due to the historic nature of the property and the gradient of the paths around the site. Please contact NIEA staff on 028 6862 1588 for further information.

Please note that the lane to the ferry is very narrow and is unsuitable for large vehicles.

  • Guided tours available
  • Visitor centre
  • Exhibition
  • Toilets
  • NIEA ferry operates Good Friday to mid September

Curriculum Topic Links

This is an ideal location for those schools studying monastic life in Ireland (Key Stage 3: investigate and evaluate the spiritual beliefs and legacy of civilizations). At Key Stage 1 or 2 pupils could use the site as a way to investigate the 'movement of people from the past'.

Resources suitable for use at this site

KS 2 and 3

 Let's Explore Devenish Activity Booklet (.PDF 1.42Mb)Opens in new window.
Let's Explore Life in Early Times (.PDF 3.06Mb)Opens in new window.

Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.19/06/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.26/06/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.03/07/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.10/07/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.17/07/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.24/07/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.31/07/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.07/08/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.14/08/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.21/08/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.28/08/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.04/09/2010
Living History at Devenish Monastic SiteLearn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'.11/09/2010