Welcome to Devenish Island

For over 1000 years, this beautiful island monastery, downstream from Enniskillen, was a key destination on the Irish waterways.  It was at centre of the county’s spiritual and cultural life.  

Founded by St Molaise in the 6th century, the monastery on Devenish Island is considered by some to be the most important on Lough Erne. Over the centuries it became a large parish stretching across both sides of the Lough, attracting pilgrims and parishioners until the 1600s.  

The remains of the buildings seen today date from the 12th, 13th and 15th centuries. Remnants of the island’s earlier history remain hidden beneath your feet. Devenish was a holy place of worship, scholarship, and burial. It was a place of welcome for pilgrims, as well as a home to many.  It was also a safe meeting place for powerful chieftains and religious leaders and was given the name Devenish of the Assemblies.  It was a vibrant place for monks, families, farmers, craftsmen, scholars and pilgrims.  

Devenish Island was attacked twice by Vikings in 827 and 923. 

The Round Tower on Devenish dominates the landscape on and beyond the island. One of the finest in Ireland, at over 80ft in height, the tower was either built soon after the 1157 fire or after 1176 when the tower was involved in a local struggle.  The tower is beautifully built with closely jointed stones and carefully worked details. It is the only tower in Ireland to have a decorated cornice at the base of the cap.   

Excavations in 1973 unearthed the foundation of a second round tower.  

Nestled amidst the serene waters of Lough Erne, Devenish Island stands as a testament to Ireland’s rich monastic history. Founded by St. Molaisse in the 6th century, the island flourished as a center of spirituality and learning by the 9th century.
However, Devenish’s tranquility was shattered by Viking raids in 837 and 923, followed by a destructive fire in 1157. Despite these challenges, the Round Tower, constructed in the 12th century, endured as a symbol of resilience and served as a refuge during turbulent times.
The island’s remaining ruins, including St. Molaise’s House, Teampall Mór, and the 15th-century Priory, offer glimpses into its storied past. Devenish also became a significant pilgrimage site, attracting visitors from across Europe, as evidenced by excavated artifacts and records of pilgrimages.
Over the centuries, Devenish Island retained its importance as a burial site and spiritual centre, reflecting the enduring legacy of Ireland’s monastic tradition. Today, it stands as a solemn reminder of the island’s enduring place in history.