Overview
Step back in time, a mere 14,00 years with a tour of Enniskillen Castle and Visitor Centre, followed by a visit to the monastic island of Devenish.
A free car park is located adjacent to Enniskillen Castle. From the nearby jetty regular boar tours depart for Devenish Island daily. **To avoid disappointment, booking in advance is essential for all boat tours to Devenish Island.
Where to start.
Your starting point on this trip to Fermanagh is Enniskillen Castle Museum, and visitor centre, situated in the heart of Enniskillen town – located in the West of Northern Ireland. Home to a Castle, two museums and a genealogy centre, explore the stories of our people, landscape and heritage, and journey alongside the famous Maguire Chieftains who ruled Fermanagh from 13-17 centuries. Discover the story of the Annals of Ulster (which reside in the library at Trinity College Dublin) complied by a local scribe at the request of Cathal Og Mac Maghnusa Maguire, a leading cleric in Fermanagh around 15 century. Whilst at the museum, explore and enjoy the story of Fermanagh through art, heritage, and history, across a number of onsite galleries, celebrating local landscapes, stories, genealogy and artists over the centuries.
Pilgrim Pass – Special Offer. (Weekends in June, and daily July and August). Boat Tours at 10.00am, 12.00noon, 2.00pm and 4.00pm
Why not buy a Pilgrim Pass from Erne Water Taxi – and take advantage of a special discounted offer incorporating a visit to Enniskillen Castle for a self guided tour, tea/coffee and scone in the Café at the Castle, (children’s option available) and transport to Devenish Island. Pass includes a guided boat trip taking in the sights of Enniskillen Island town before proceeding onto Devenish Island for a guided tour on the island. The pass is flexible to allow the Castle visit and refreshments to be redeemed in the days before or after your boat trip. Per person charge applies, the Pilgrim Pass can be purchased in advance via +44(0) 7719770588 www.ernewatertaxi.com.
Visit Devenish Island.
On departing the museum, jump aboard one of our many tour operator led boats and set sail to Devenish Island. Step back over 1,400 years with a visit to one of the most important monastic sites on the island of Ireland. Founded in the 6th century by St. Molaise, Devenish Island is undoubtedly the most important of all the monasteries within Lough Erne, and County Fermanagh. Visit the round tower, Augustinian Abbey, high cross, surrounding buildings and graveyard created between 12 and 15 centuries. Much of the remains, secrets and stories of this tranquil island are buried in its lands, so take some time to walk around, visit the Island museum* and enjoy the peace of this special corner of history. A holy place of worship, and burial, Devenish Island was home to many scholars and chieftains, who met here frequently, holding ‘Assemblies’ giving it its title, ‘Devenish of the Assemblies.’ Duration 2 hours including boat transfer.**
*Visitor Centre and Toilets available 10.30am – 5.30pm Thursday- Sunday in July & August and weekends in September.
Transport to Devenish.
The following operators** provide water transport (and offer private tours) to Devenish Island (please note some may not operate in winter months). Advance booking recommended.
- Erne Water Taxi +44(0) 77 1977 0588 www.ernewatertaxi.com
- Erne Tours (MV Kestrel) +44(0) 28 6632 2882 www.ernetours.com
- Erne Boat Hire (Day Boat Hire) +44(0) 07523423232 www.erneboathireltd.com
- Manor House Marine (Day Boat Hire) +44(0) 28 686 28100 www.manormarine.com
- Lady of the Lake (Private tours only) +44(0)28 6862 2200 www.manorhousecountryhotel.com/see-do/the-lady-of-the-lake.
**Booking in advance is recommended for all boat tours to Devenish Island.
How to get to Enniskillen.
Enniskillen is 90 minutes by road from Belfast, and 2 hours by road from Dublin. Bus services operate from Belfast and Dublin city centres, and airport transfer buses to Enniskillen operate hourly from Dublin www.aircoach.ie and regularly from Belfast Grand Central Station Translink*. Boats from UK and Europe sail into Larne, Dublin and Rosslare ports. Enniskillen is easily accessible from all main roads. There are no direct train routes to Enniskillen.
What to do nearby.
If you have some spare time after your trip to Devenish Island, why not pay a visit to St Macartin’s Church of Ireland (Anglican) Cathedral and then across the road to St Michael’s Catholic Church. The churches welcomed Queen Elizabeth II during her famous visit to Enniskillen in 2012. The symbolic visit of her majesty to the two churches, seen as a giant symbol of reconciliation, is captured in a Hector Sloan painting which hangs in Enniskillen Museum. Duration 30 minutes.
Where to eat?
Peckish? Grab brunch, or lunch in Enniskillen Castle Museum café where we offer a daily menu of sandwiches, soups and traybakes. In Enniskillen town choose from an array of cafes and restaurants. (want to name any?)
Where to stay?
For a relaxing overnight, and a chance to embrace the famous Lough Erne shores, stay at the stunning Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges
Something quirky!
Fermanagh boasts the best black bacon in the world, its even sold in Harrod’s. Crafted by O’Dohertys family butchers since 1957, the family rears rare breed pigs on a nearby Inishcorkish Island. Feeding on grasses and herbs, they produce the world-famous award-winning black bacon, which is on sale in the local butchers in the town.
(Pit stops, e.g. toilets)
There are toilets and a café located in Enniskillen Castle Museum and Visitor Centre, offering fresh light bites daily. Toilets on Devenish Island are available 10.30am – 5.30pm Thursday- Sunday in July & August and weekends in September.
