Attractions

Touring the Lakes & Islands

Erne Tours Ltd., Enniskillen (tel. 028/6632-2882; www.ernetoursltd.com), operates cruises on Lower Lough Erne. The MV Kestrel, a 56-seat cruiser, departs from the Round "O" Jetty, Brook Park, Enniskillen. Trips, including a stop at Devenish Island, last just under 2 hours. They operate daily in July and August at 10:30am and 2:15 and 4:15pm; in May and June on Sunday at 2:30pm; and in September on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:30pm. Call for reservations and to confirm times. The fare starts at £10 for adults, £9 for seniors, and £6 for children 13 and under.

The Share Holiday Village, Smith's Strand, Lisnaskea (tel. 028/6772-2122; www.sharevillage.org), operates cruises on Upper Lough Erne. These 1 1/2-hour trips are conducted onboard the Inishcruiser, a 57-passenger ship. Sailings are scheduled Easter through September on Sunday at 2:30pm (July-Aug also Thurs-Sat at 2:30pm). The fares are about the same as those for Erne Tours. Share Holiday Village also offers other watersports activities and self-catering chalets.

There are lots of charter boat companies in the area, which will allow you to travel privately for a day or a week on narrow boats, barges, or yachts. Prices vary from a few hundred pounds to much more, for the more elegant options. For a good list of options, go to www.fermanaghlakelands.com and click on "Find Something to Do," or call the tourist office and request a brochure.

Independent boatmen offer ferry crossings to some of the many islands in Lough Erne. White Island, Devenish Island, and Boa Island are all rich in archaeological and early Christian remains. Devenish Island has Lough Erne's most important island monastery, founded in the 6th century by St. Molaise. The extensive remains include a 12th-century round tower, which you can climb to take in the view and get a feel for the tiny space inside. From April to September, a ferry runs to Devenish Island from Trory Point, 6km (3 3/4 miles) from Enniskillen on A32; journey time is about 12 minutes.

On White Island, seven stone figures remain from a vanished 10th-century monastery inside a ruined 12th-century church. From April through August, a ferry runs to White Island, departing from Castle Archdale Marina (for times, call Mr. Bradshaw at tel. 028/6862-1892, or 0836/787123 mobile), 16km (10 miles) from Enniskillen on the Kesh road; journey time is about 18 minutes. Departures April through June are on weekends only, every hour on the hour from 11am to 6pm with the exception of 1pm. In July and August, the ferry runs daily, with the same sailing times. The round-trip fare is £4 for adults and £3 for children. In the cemetery at the west end of Boa Island, there are two ancient Janus (looking both ways) idols, which are thought to date from the 1st century. Boa Island is connected to the shore by bridges.

Though it's possible to visit all three islands in a single day, it's a bit ambitious. Begin with Devenish, then visit White, and, if time permits, finish up with Boa.