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| DEVENISH ISLAND, LOUGH ERNE, CO. FERMANAGH. -The above picturesque and venerable "spot of ground" is situated in the entrance to Lower Lough Erne, about two miles from the town of Enniskillen. Its Gaelic name is Daimh-inis, pronounced almost the same as in English, and signifies according to leading Irish savants, the Island of the Oxen. The foundation of the abbey whose ruins still remain is attributed to St. Molaisse, a native of the district of Carbery, in the county Sligo. He was educated at the University of Clonard, and removed to Devenish in his youth. By some it is held that he was Bishop of Clogher and the period of his death is fixed in the latter portion of the 6th century. The round tower, 70 feet high, is generally allowed to be the most perfect in Ireland. "In addition to the usual four orifices facing the cardinal points near the summit," says Professor Addey, "it has, on the northeast side, three windows-square, triangular and round. The latter, which is 12 feet from the ground, and approached by three race steps, was evidently intended as an entrance. Beneath the conical apex appears the unusual decoration of a richly designed cornice, with a human head sculptured on the keystone of each of the upper windows." In the ruins of the adjacent priory are to be seen many rich carvings, and the evidences of a belfry, which would go far to disprove the theory that the round towers were ever used for that purpose. Devenish is still a favorite burial place. |
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