Devenish Island facts for kids
Monastic site on Devenish Island
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 Devenish or Devinish Island
Location in Northern Ireland
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lower Lough Erne |
| Coordinates | 54°22′20.31″N 7°39′27.51″W / 54.3723083°N 7.6576417°W |
| Area | 0.498 km2 (0.192 sq mi) |
| Length | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Width | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 64.3 m (211 ft) |
| Highest point | Sour Hill |
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Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
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Devenish, also called Devinish, is a small island in Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Its name comes from an old Irish word, Daimhinis, which means "ox island." The island is about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) long and 1.1 kilometers (0.66 miles) wide. You can catch a ferry to Devenish from Trory Point, which is near the town of Enniskillen. Today, the Kilvarock Christian Trust owns Devenish Island.
Contents
What makes Devenish Island special?
Devenish Island is home to one of the best monastic sites in Northern Ireland. A monastery is a place where monks or nuns live and worship. This ancient site has a tall round tower and the remains of old churches.
Who started the monastery?
The monastery was founded by Saint Molaise in the 6th century. It was an important stop for pilgrims traveling to Croagh Patrick in County Mayo. Over time, Devenish became a famous center for learning and study.
What happened to the monastery?
Even though the monastery was attacked by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, it continued to be an important place. Later, it became the site of a parish church and an Augustinian Priory.
Exploring the ancient buildings
The island has several old buildings and interesting stone carvings.
The Round Tower
The most famous building is the round tower, which was built around the 12th century. It stands about 30 meters (100 feet) tall. You can even climb inside using ladders! The tower has beautiful Romanesque designs, including carved heads and patterns near its pointed stone roof.
Saint Molaise's House
Near the round tower is a very small church called Saint Molaise's House. It dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. Only the lower walls and some roof stones are left today.
Teampull Mór (The Lower Church)
Teampull Mór, which means "Great Church" in Irish, is another old church on the island. It was built in the early 13th century and has a lovely carved south window. Over the years, more parts were added, like a living area and the Maguire Chapel.
St Mary's Augustinian Priory
On top of the hill, you'll find St Mary's Augustinian Priory. This priory was built in the mid-15th and early 16th centuries. It includes a church, a tower, and a small cloister (a covered walkway).
The High Cross
In the priory's graveyard, there's a detailed high cross from the mid-15th century. This cross has many decorative carvings and patterns. One part shows a picture of the crucifixion. It's believed that Matthew O’Dubegan, a famous carver, made this cross.
Other interesting finds
Around the site, there are hundreds of loose stone pieces. More than 40 of these stones come from a richly decorated Romanesque church that no longer exists. Some of these stones are displayed in the visitor center, helping you imagine what the old buildings looked like.
Protecting the past
The ancient monastic ruins on Devenish Island are very important. They are protected as State Care Historic Monuments. This means they are carefully looked after to preserve their history for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Devenish para niños
