Our Story

Find your own way here by lough, land and online. Find resources on this website to spark your imagination and assist you to navigate your journey through the history and our story of the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way. Be inspired by our story of the timeless beauty of Lough Erne’s waterways and scenic islands, havens for wildlife, with centuries of history. Lough Erne is home to many Early Christian monastic sites, sacred places of gathering, learning, worship and burial.

Discover the heart of the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way by journeying by boat to Devenish Island. Wonder at its remarkable 12^th century Round Tower, a testament to its importance as a once thriving monastic site and community. Trace the paths of medieval pilgrims who travelled thousands of miles across Europe through Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. The weary travellers were warmly welcomed and rejuvenated at the many monastic sites along their pilgrimage journey to St Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg, County Donegal. Adventure into picturesque ruins and ancient graveyards with mysterious stone figures, standing as witnesses to history. Explore where pilgrims have passed through, saints have worshipped, scholars have studied, and Vikings have invaded. Take a pause to find out more about the local legends and folklore associated with the sites. 

“Here the past is before us, warm with its old sacred life and indomitable energy. Here in solitude of the surrounding hills and in the gentle rippling of the waters there is the presence and voice of an eternity.” “Devenish: Its History, Antiquities and Traditions”, J.E McKenna, 1897

The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way raises understanding and enjoyment of the significant history of the former island monasteries located throughout the Fermanagh Lakelands. The unique Way links the sites of the historic Christian pilgrimage route along Lough Erne to Lough Derg in Co. Donegal. The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way is being developed with historians, researchers, community groups, businesses, as well as heritage and tourism organisations, creating an inspiring programme of new experiences.The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way has been set  up by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Waterways Ireland and the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division. 

The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop this partnership project to highlight the unique history of the area.  The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage.  Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more.  Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations.  We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.