Overview
Spend a day on some of Fermanagh’s stunning islands, where our monastic past comes alive. Start your day with a visit to White Island, on the edge of Lower Lough Erne, where you will step back in time to lands shaped by Pilgrims and attacked by Vikings. After your time on White Island, take a visit to nearby Davy’s Island. Afterwards, while away you’re evening in nearby Killadeas. Please note – White Island and Davy’s Island are only accessible via water.
Where to start.
To visit White Island, which is only accessible by boat, start at Castle Archdale Marina. Castle Archdale offers boat hire, (book in advance at castlearchdaleboathire.com with boats available for groups of 6-8 people, alongside lots of other water hire rentals and activities.Location: Irvinestown, BT94 1NB. It takes 5 minutes to reach White Island by boat from Castle Archdale.
Visit White Island.
White Island, located in Lower Lough Erne, is home to the ruins of an ancient 12th century church, with its Romanesque doorway still visible. Visit the 8 stunning archaic carved figures, all carved wearing the long tunics of churchmen, on this early monastic site, as you stand on the lands occupied and used by Saints and Scholars since the early 6th century. Take in stunning views where the pilgrim waters meet the lands. The Annals of Ulster reports that Vikings attacked and destroyed the monasteries in Lough Erne during the 9th century. For at least 400 years therefore these carvings may have laid in the ruins before a stone Romanesque style church was built.
Visit Davy’s Island.
Like White Island, Davy’s Island is another Early Christian monastic site, and was the site of Lisgoole Abbey which was taken over by the Augustinian Canons in the 12th century. Believed to have once been a hostel for pilgrims en route to nearby Lough Derg, Davy’s Island is located to the south of White Island, where you can see first-hand the ruins of a church and enclosure.
Transport to White Island and Davy’s Island.
The following operator provides water transport to White Island and Davy’s Island. Advance booking recommended.
- Castle Archdale Boat Hire & Water sports, 028686 21156. info@castlearchdaleboathire.com
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 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. Castle Archdale is 20 minutes from Enniskillen by car. Buses run from Enniskillen to Castle Archdale, this also involves walking
What to do nearby.
Bring something stunning home with you, visit Les Pappion, home to handmade traditional Irish arts and crafts, lespapillons.co.uk designed by local artist Caroline Dilworth.
Spend some time exploring the tranquil Garden of the Celtic Saints, adjacent to the Sacred Heart Church in Irvinestown. The garden is home to a series of over 30 figures including Saints from the Irish Church, scholars, and symbols. The sculptures were hand carved by a local resident sculptor from native Irish oak.
Where to eat?
Peckish? Grab brunch, or lunch at Tullana on the Green, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open Wednesday to Sunday, fully licenced Tullana on the Green, catering for families, couples, and private parties.
Where to stay?
Family run since 1883, Mahon’s Hotel is situated in the town of Irvinestown, close to the Lakelands, and an array of parks and water sports. With an award-winning bar, the hotel provides food all day, from breakfast through to evening meals, lunch, and snacks. In addition to being great for couples and families, the hotel also welcomes pets mahonshotel.co.uk On Thursday evenings the hotel has a full fish menu fresh from Donegal, simply check on a Wednesday (before 8pm) what fish is available, and you can have it served to you on a Thursday!
For Caravan fans, a caravan park is located within the grounds of Castle Archdale Country Park. Onsite amenities include: – shop, take-away, games room, play park, laundry and boat launching facilities. castlearchdale.com
Alternatively stay at 110-acre Drumhoney Caravan Park, boasting excellent facilities including; Large children’s play area, MUGA all weather football/basketball pitch, tarmac river walkways, Trout Fishing Lakes, Woodland
Something quirky!
In addition to significant built heritage both White Island and Davy’s Island are important sites for nature and conservation. Both nature reserves are havens for wildlife including Lapwings, Curlews, Snipe, and a unique inland colony of breeding Sandwich Terns. rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/lower-lough-erne-islands
If you have some spare time after your trip to White Island and Davy’s Island, why not take a visit to Tickety Moo Farm shop, home to Tickety Moo ice cream. This working farm, which rears Jersey cattle, is also an ice cream parlour, with an excellent choice of home-made ice creams for sale. You might even fit in a spot of milking while you are there!
Visit Castle Archdale at War Exhibition – An Extra 100 miles – discover the role played by Castle Archdale during the war given the position of Lough Erne as the most westerly flying-boat station. From here aircraft
(Pit stops, e.g. toilets)
Toilets are available at Castle Archdale, and a small shop sells all you require to enjoy and explore the water!
