Devenish Island, near Enniskillen, contains the ruins of an early Christian monastery. The island's name comes from daimhinis, meaning 'Ox Island'. It is on the lower lake, which, confusingly, is positioned above the upper lake on the map.A boat trip around the lough provides a perfect afternoon out.

The MV Kestrel leaves from the Round O jetty near the centre of Enniskillen, and takes approximately an hour and a half with a 30 minute stop on Devenish. Alternatively, you can depart from Trory Point, just outside Enniskillen, nipping across in a few minutes by ferry.

The Round O jetty is next to a pleasant park with a small cafe and brightly coloured playground. The boat sets off first towards Enniskillen, where you can see the ruins of Portora Castle, strategically positioned on an island between the two lakes. The boat then turns back and churns gently towards Devenish.All sorts of pleasure craft glide up and down, from motorised tubs to elegant cruisers. These waterways were once a major route for the passage of people and goods throughout Ireland.

Thick trees line the bank, and hidden amongst the reeds at the water's edge are wooden platforms for fishing. The boat also passes Portora Royal School, a mansion built high on a hill that formerly schooled both Oscar Wilde and Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy.

The island of Devenish appears ahead, the top of its round tower just visible, rising some 30 metres into the air. You can climb to the top via internal ladders.Founded in the sixth century on a pilgrim route to Croagh Patrick, Devenish became an important monastery and centre of scholarship. It was raided by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, but later flourished as the site of the parish church and St Mary's Augustinian Priory.

Near the round tower are the remains of a Romanesque church. On the hilltop sits the Priory church, with an intricately carved high cross in its graveyard.A tiny museum contains sculpture from the churches and information about the monastery's founder, Saint Molaise, whose name means ‘my dear flame’. One story tells how, when he was traveling, he needed a quill to write a text and he raised his hands to heaven. A passing bird dropped a feather suitable for his use.

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