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
County Fermanagh
Tel: (028) 6862 1588 (Castle Archdale Country Park)
Tel: (077) 0205 2873 (Devenish Ferry mobile - see 'Directions' tab for pick-up point)
Ferry crossings to Devenish Monastic Site will be cancelled until further notice.
- Guided tours available
- Visitor centre
- Exhibition
- Toilets
- NIEA ferry operates Good Friday to mid September
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'.
| KS 2 and 3 | Let's Explore Devenish Activity Booklet (.PDF 1.42Mb) Let's Explore Life in Early Times (.PDF 3.06Mb) |
| Living History at Devenish Monastic Site | Learn more about the history of the 'Welcoming Isle'. | 11/09/2010 |