Fermanagh’s sacred isles
by Nina McNeary, Support Officer Northern Ireland
Where ancient echoes stir the soul
In the heart of Ireland’s lakelands lies Fermanagh, a place not only of stunning natural beauty but of deep spiritual resonance.
Here, the land itself seems to hum with centuries of devotion, echoing the quiet footsteps of pilgrims, monks, and saints who once walked these shores in search of solace and divine connection. As mist rises from the still waters and shafts of sunlight pierce the canopy of ancient woods, a timeless presence can be felt. Fermanagh’s sacred landscape invites you to step beyond the everyday.
Fermanagh’s sacred landscape is dotted with churches, holy sites and ancient monastic settlements to discover and explore. A place where where ruined abbeys rise from quiet islands, mysterious carved stones speak of long forgotten rites, and holy wells bubble with the legends of saints and miracles.
As you stand upon the shores of Lough Erne you, can almost hear the echoes of ancient prayers and contemplation reverberating through the air, carried on the gentle whispers of the wind across the water.
Whether you are drawn by a personal sense of pilgrimage, a passion for history, or a simple longing for peace, Fermanagh offers space to pause, to wonder, and to reconnect with something greater.
This trail is one of six new trails across Northern Ireland created as part of our Treasure Ireland project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which helps to keep places of worship in Northern Ireland open and in good repair.
Find more churches, chapels and meeting houses to visit across Northern Ireland
Devenish Monastic Site
Start your spiritual journey in Fermanagh, delving deeper into the rich tapestry of its ecclesiastical heritage and art.
Set sail across the shimmering waters of Lower Lough Erne and journey to the tranquil shores of Devenish Island, where the soaring round tower stands like a sentinel. Founded in the 6th century by Saint Molaise, Devenish is a cornerstone of Ireland’s early Christian heritage. Amidst the Romanesque ruins, intricately carved crosses, and tranquil green pastures, you’ll find a sacred hush that invites contemplation.
Let this sacred site, steeped in history and legend, speak to you as it has to generations before. Here you'll be reminded of the enduring legacy of Ireland's early Christian monks who were inspired by the beauty the surrounding timeless landscape.
Priory Church, Killadeas
Tucked away in the landscape near Killadeas lies a tapestry of Christian symbolism and ancient mystery. The Priory Church, Killadeas, was built in 1881 but it occupies a much earlier site.
Wander northward to uncover an earlier graveyard and a trio of enigmatic stones - a pillar stone, a cup marked slab, and a holed stone. The cup marked stone is a large slab of limestone marked with many cup marks while on the reverse it has been Christianised with a cross within a circle. Close by stands the figure of the Bishop's Stone, named for the low relief depiction of a cleric that graces its surface. On its narrow edge is a grotesque head in relief, and below a panel of interlace weaves an intricate tapestry of Early Irish knotwork, a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of long forgotten stonemasons.
These carvings are more than relics, they are windows into a rich and reverent culture that flourished centuries ago.
White Island
A short journey brings you to White Island, cradled near the eastern shore of Lower Lough Erne. Here lies one of Fermanagh’s most cherished spiritual treasures. White Island Church dates from the 12th century. Within its ruined walls, a collection of intricately carved Romanesque figures stand guard - saints, clerics, and creatures rendered with exquisite detail. These ancient sculptures whisper stories of faith, art, and inspiration from an age when the sacred was interwoven with the everyday.
Caldragh Cemetery, Boa Island
Tread softly through the peaceful grounds of Caldragh Cemetery on Boa Island, where moss covered stones and the air of stillness lend the place an otherworldly calm. Among the humble gravemarkers stands the mysterious Janus figure. It is a haunting, double faced idol thought to pre-date Christianity, yet embraced by it. Standing amongst the many undecorated simple grave markers, this unique sculpture depicts two faces, one looking forward and the other backward. This enigmatic stone invites reflection on time, transition, and the mysteries of life and death.
St Patrick’s Holy Well, Belcoo
On the edge of Ireland, near the border village of Belcoo, lies one of Fermanagh’s most enduring places of pilgrimage: St Patrick’s Holy Well.
A lively spring well lies amidst overhanging trees and bushes, used as rag trees and adorned with ribbons and offerings. Known as Davagh Phadric, it’s identified with the well mentioned in Camden's Britannia as being the best cold bath in the kingdom, a cure for nervous and paralytic diseases. The stations were performed at the site especially between the last Sunday in July and the festival of the Assumption (15th August), also known as Lady’s Day. It was also a Lughnasa Festival assembly site and remains a place where spiritual devotion meets the raw power of nature.
Overlooking the well stands a simple stone cross, thought to have once served as a market cross. Across the road, the weathered ruins of Temple Rushin, a medieval church and walled graveyard. Here, a bullaun stone bears a hollow said to be formed by the knee of a praying saint, and station stones mark the path of pilgrims as they complete their rounds of prayer and penance.
This is not just a place of history, but a living site where ancient rites are remembered, and the spirit of St Patrick lingers in the air like incense.
Discover your own path
Whether you follow in the footsteps of saints or simply wish to walk slowly and reflect, Fermanagh’s sacred sites offer a deeply moving journey through Ireland’s spiritual heart. Come with open eyes and a quiet heart and let the land speak to you.
Lough Erne Pilgrim Way
Be inspired to discover 14 sites along the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way. The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way raises understanding and enjoyment of the significant heritage of the former island monasteries located throughout the Fermanagh Lakelands.
Find out more about the trail here
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