Devenish Monastic Site

Take a virtual tour of this site!

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 the 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 accomplished Romanesque decoration of the 12th century. Teampull Mór, the lower church, dates from the early 13th century with a beautifully moulded south window. It was extended to the east in about 1300, and 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 is of the mid 15th and early 16th centuries, with church, tower and small north cloister. In its graveyard stands an unusual, intricately-carved cross of the mid 15th century. There are several hundred loose architectural fragments on the site and among them are more than 40 stones from an otherwise lost, richly-decorated Romanesque church.

Education

If you are planning a visit or looking for educational resources on this site, please visit this page.

Facilities

• Guided tours available
• Visitor Centre
• Exhibition
• Toilets
• NIEA Ferry operates Good Friday to mid September

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

Access & Booking

NIEA Ferry from Trory 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.

Easter to September: 10am to 6pm (weather permitting)

October to Easter - closed

There is a charge for use of ferry: 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 on 028 90 546518.

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.

Getting Here

The NIEA Ferry to the Island leaves from Trory point, down a short lane at the junction of the B 8 2 to Kesh and the A32 to Ballinamallard 3 miles north of Enniskillen Town Centre. Alternatively a short stop on Devenish is included in the tour of Lower Lough Erne on the MV Kestrel from the 'Round O', Enniskillen.