Plizio Visual Lab
Devenish Island
Weather…
Water temperature…
Devenish Island, situated in Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, houses one of Northern Ireland's best-preserved monastic sites. The settlement was founded in the 6th century by Saint Molaise and flourished as a significant spiritual center despite devastating Viking raids in 837 and 1157. The most striking feature of the island is the 25-meter-high round tower dating from the 12th century, renowned for its precision stonework and an ornate cornice below the conical roof. Other ruins include Saint Molaise's House from the 12th century and the 15th-century St. Mary's Augustinian Priory, which sits prominently on a hill. A rare 15th-century high cross testifies to the late artistic zenith of the community before the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Reachable only by boat, the island maintains an atmosphere of seclusion that has drawn pilgrims and historians for centuries.
- Location: Ireland
- Top sights: Ardhowen Theatre · Bellevue · The Higher Bridges Gallery
- Nearby: Trillick (20 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 109 | 85 | 84 | 69 | 88 | 99 | 108 | 117 | 92 | 114 | 114 | 110 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Founded in the 6th century by Saint Molaise.
- Viking raids occurred on the island in the years 837 and 1157.
- The round tower is 25 meters high and dates to the 12th century.
- St. Mary's Priory was built in the 15th century for the Augustinians.
- The Devenish Cross is a rare, ornate piece from the 15th century.
- The site includes a small museum housing local archaeological finds.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Devenish Island (10)
Town Hall
Former cinema in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, now used as a venue.
Cole's Monument
Monument in Enniskillen, erected in honour of Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole.
St Michael's Church
Roman Catholic church in Enniskillen, serving the parishes of Enniskillen and Lisbellaw.
Fermanagh County Museum🏛 museum
Museum in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, covering the history of County Fermanagh.
St. Macartin's Cathedral (Enniskillen Parish CoI)
Anglican cathedral in Enniskillen, seat of the Diocese of Clogher.
Enniskillen Castle🏰 castle
Castle in Enniskillen, built in the 16th century.
The Inniskillings Museum🏛 museum
Military museum in Northern Ireland, telling the story of the Inniskilling regiments.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Devenish Island?
Is there a round tower there?
What was founded here?
Are there toilets on the island?
Is picnicking allowed on the island?
Devenish Island: where is it located?
Devenish Island: what is there to see?
Devenish Island: when is the best time to visit?
Devenish Island: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
