Lakeland Heritage: Antiquities of Fermanagh

Ahead of the G8 summit, which brought world leaders to the Lough Erne Resort, near Enniskillen, on 17–18 June 2013, the Foundation’s Research Director, Dr William Roulston, was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to write a book on the archaeological monuments of County Fermanagh. This was published with the title: Lakeland Heritage: Antiquities of Fermanagh.

According to the blurb on the back cover: ‘Fermanagh’s history goes back over 9,000 years and through brilliant photography and illustrations, this book takes a fabulous journey through its rich past. Prehistoric megalithic tombs and earthworks, Early Christian and Medieval churches and plantation castles are among the many historic monuments that abound in this beautiful and diverse landscape, while the country has produced some of Ireland’s finest artefacts.’

One of the areas in which Fermanagh’s archaeological fabric excels is in its stone carvings, many of which can be dated to the Early Christian period. The series of carved figures within the ruined church on White Island are wonderful examples of this. Among Fermanagh’s most important archaeological sites is Devenish Island in Lower Lough Erne, a location that has the power to fire the imagination with its impressive range of buildings, including the well-preserved round tower.