| The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) recently launched a new ferry vessel to carry visitors to Devenish monastic site on an island in Lower Lough Erne, where visitor facilities have been upgraded. Claire Foley of the Built Heritage section in EHS, welcomed guests to the launch event. She said:
“As well as conserving our built heritage, EHS seeks to enable visitors to enjoy and understand historic sites, such as Devenish, which are in state care. We are engaged both in improving access to these sites, and in upgrading the information we provide about them. To this end EHS has installed a new exhibition in the Devenish Visitor Centre, with accompanying booklet. The Centre can now comfortably accommodate school parties of 30. New paths have been laid and information panels erected. Lighting has been installed in the round tower and the boat jetty has been replaced. The culmination of our investment in Devenish is the acquisition of a state-of the-art vessel which will provide a much improved ferry service to the island and will complement the existing services provided by the private sector.”
Darryl Grimason, local television presenter, then formally named the new ferry Molaise III after the founder of the monastic settlement on Devenish in the sixth century A.D.. Darryl is particularly well known for his knowledge and interest in natural and built heritage matters in Northern Ireland . He congratulated EHS for providing this new service.
“I am delighted to see EHS now providing an excellent service for the public, enabling visitors, including those in wheelchairs, to access one of Northern Ireland ’s most treasured historic and natural sites in comfort and safety.
Of course Devenish is only one of the many historic sites to visit in the County. If you enjoy your visit to Devenish, you should also visit White Island, Tully Castle, Monea Castle and Enniskillen Castle, to name but a few. ”
Maedoc’of Devenish (left) and Claire Foley of EHS look on as Darryl Grimason of the BBC cuts the ribbon, to launch the new Environment & Heritage Service ferry, the Molaise 111. The new state-of-the art vessel will provide a much improved daily ferry service to the island and will complement existing services provided by the private sector.
(Back Left to right, Darryl Grimason of BBC, Michael Morgan of EHS, Councillor John O’Kane, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council and ‘Maedoc’ of Devenish) are seen here setting sail for Devenish on the new Environment & Heritage Service ferry, the Molaise 111. The new state-of-the art vessel will provide a much improved daily ferry service to the island and will complement existing services provided by the private sector.
‘Molaise’ of Devenish (left) greets BBC television presenter, Darryl Grimason, who arrived on the island, having sailed on the new Environment & Heritage Service ferry, the Molaise 111. The new state-of-the art vessel will provide a much improved daily ferry service to the island and will complement existing services provided by the private sector.
Over the summer the ferry will run daily from Trory Point, off the A32 approximately 4 miles north of Enniskillen, with scheduled sailings at 10.00, 13.00, 15.00 and 17.00 hrs. A reduced service operates in the Spring and Autumn.
1. For further information contact Michael Morgan at Castle Archdale Country Park 028 68621588 or email michael.morgan@doeni.gov.uk Or visit the EHS website at www.ehsni.gov.uk
2. Devenish Monastic Site is a State Care Monument managed by the Environment and Heritage Service.
3. The EHS ferry operates from Trory Point, approximately 4 miles north of Enniskillen. The narrow road leading west to the embarkation jetty is signposted at the junction between the A32 Omagh Road and the B82 road to Kesh.
4. The vessel can carry up to 12 passengers comfortably and has been adapted to accommodate wheelchairs users.
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