Lough Erne Pilgrim Way

30/10/2026

You’ve been following the stories. Now discover the waterway that connects them. 💧

The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way is unlike any other pilgrim route in Ireland.

Here, the journey isn’t made along a well-trodden trail. The rivers and loughs are the pilgrim way.

Across 14 remarkable sites, the route leads through the waters of Upper and Lower Lough Erne, following a landscape of islands, ancient churches, saints, monks, pilgrimage and folklore.

These are the places behind so many of the tales we’ve been sharing. But together, they tell an even bigger story.

A Pilgrim Way carved by oars, not footsteps.

Watch the reel and discover the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way. 👇

https://loughernepilgrimway.com/

29/10/2026

🐎 Benaughlin: The Magic Remembered in its Name

Why is a Fermanagh mountain known as the Mount of the Speaking Horse?

Local legend tells of Donn Carrach Mag Uidhir, a mysterious white horse and a chase that led all the way to Benaughlin and beyond, into the otherworld of Tír na n-Óg.

And the story doesn't quite end there...

Tradition says the white horse returns to Benaughlin each year. Some even believed its outline could once be seen etched into the mountainside.

Perhaps the landscape still holds a trace of the legend.

👀 Can you see it?

Discover another story woven into the landscape of Fermanagh, Cavan and the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way.

28/10/2026

Thank you, Fermanagh Herald! 🙏

A big thank you to Holly McFarland and the Fermanagh Herald for shining a light on the folklore and historic sites of the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way. The story of St Tighearneach and the hawks of Galloon Island is one of many and it's been wonderful to see it reach so many people.

Over the past year, we've been digging through old books and uncovering folklore tales tied to real places around Lough Erne, from sacred sites and holy islands to legends passed down through generations. There's a lot more to come, so keep an eye out.

What stands out most when we share these tales is the pride local people take in their heritage sites and their stories.

Whether you've grown up with these tales or are hearing them for the first time, they belong to all of us and getting them shared again matters.

Which local legend means the most to you? Tell us in the comments. And if you're a storyteller in Fermanagh or Cavan, tag yourself in, because we'd love to hear these tales told aloud around our firesides. 🌿

Read Holly's article: https://fermanaghherald.com/2026/10/galloon-islands-ancient-legend-of-bird-protection/

A remarkable folklore tale dating back more than 1,500 years tells how a saint transformed the hawks of Galloon Island on Lough Erne into guardians of birds.

27/10/2026

✨ How did Enniskillen get its name?

Long before the town we know today, legend tells of Ceithleann, a Fomorian queen whose final journey brought her through the lakes and waterways of Lough Erne to the island that would carry her name forever.

⚔️ A battle.
🌊 A journey home.
👑 A queen remembered.
🏝️ And an island whose name endured.

Watch the reel to discover the folklore behind Inis Ceithleann... Enniskillen.

Discover more stories at: https://loughernepilgrimway.com/

18/10/2026

Did you ever hear about the bell that refused to leave Devenish? 🔔

According to local tradition, when soldiers came to seize the monastery's bells and carry them away to Armagh, Saint Molaise's bell had other plans.

As the boat carrying the sacred bell passed Friar's Leap on Lower Lough Erne, it began to sink without warning. No storm. No rocks. No obvious cause. The bell disappeared beneath the water and, legend says, its chime could still be heard at vesper time from the depths of the lake.

Discover one of the many captivating legends connected to Devenish and the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way.

📖 Based on the account recorded by J. E. Canon McKenna in Devenish: Its History, Antiquities and Traditions (1931).

17/10/2026

What an amazing opportunity! If you need any inspiration for your Legends of the Lough flotilla, costumes or performances, please check out the Fermanagh legends at https://loughernepilgrimway.com/folklore/

Fermanagh and Lough Erne is so rich in legends, we're so lucky to have had these stories passed down the generations. 💙💚🩵

🌊🍀 LEGENDS OF THE LOUGH | £500 GRANTS AVAILABLE! 🍀🌊

Halloween might not even be over yet, but with today being the 5 month countdown we’re already dreaming of St Patrick’s Day 2027! 👀

🐉🌊 LEGENDS OF THE LOUGH (AND OTHER WATERY WONDERLANDS!) 🌊🐉

From mythical creatures and mermaids to local legends, aquatic adventures and nautical nonsense, we can’t wait to see how you bring this theme to life on the streets of Enniskillen!

🎨 GOT AN IDEA? WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN!

We have £500 grants available to help clubs, organisations and voluntary groups get a head start on costumes, floats and performances for the big day.

⚠️ Grants are limited, so get in touch ASAP to secure yours!

📧 [email protected]

A huge thank you to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, supported by the Department for Communities (DFC), for their generous sponsorship.

🙌 WANT TO BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL?

We’re always looking for new ideas, fresh faces and people willing to share their skills (or learn some new ones!). We’re also recruiting volunteer marshals to help keep the celebrations running smoothly.

Whether you want to take part, volunteer or join our team behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Get in touch at [email protected]

🎶🚤 AND THERE’S MORE…

Don’t forget our St Patrick’s Eve flotilla and live music celebrations! It’s the perfect excuse to gather friends and family, enjoy some Enniskillen magic and make a night of it. And we’ve a few more plans up our sleeves… 👀

📸 Need inspiration? Check out our galleries from previous years at www.projectstpatrick.com.

Let’s make 2027 another unforgettable celebration of community, creativity and everything that makes our island town special. 💚

11/10/2026

🦅 A 1,500-year-old bird sanctuary on Lough Erne - and we've got the folklore story to celebrate

More than 1,500 years ago, the people of Galloon Island on Lough Erne told a remarkable story about the birds around them.

They spoke of St Tighearneach, a saint who saw a hawk carrying away a mother bird's chick and commanded it to return what it had taken.

According to legend, something extraordinary happened.

At Tighearneach's command, the hawks of Galloon became guardians rather than hunters.

Protectors rather than predators.

The island became known as a place where birds lived under special protection. A place where they found sanctuary long before nature reserves or conservation policies.

Today, birdwatchers record and celebrate the birds they see. More than 1,500 years ago, the people of Galloon were telling stories about how they were protected on this small island.

Could the oldest bird sanctuary in the world be right here on an island on Lough Erne in Ireland?

🎥 Watch our latest reel made especially for

Did you take part in October Big Day?

What was your best sighting?

And if you counted on or around Galloon, we'd especially love to hear what you found.

18/09/2026

We are thrilled to be working again with our friends at Project St Patrick as they prepare for St Patrick's Day 2027.

With Legends of the Lough and Underwater Wonderlands revealed as the theme, we're looking forward to helping showcase the folklore, myths and legendary tales of Lough Erne that have captured imaginations for centuries.

There's plenty to look forward to over the months ahead. Dive into their exciting announcement below.

☘️ 6 MONTHS TO ST PATRICK’S DAY! ☘️

Six months today, we’ll be celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Ireland’s Only Island Town!

And we’re delighted to reveal our 2027 theme…

🌊 LEGENDS OF THE LOUGH… AND UNDERWATER WONDERLANDS 🐚

From the legends and stories that surround Lough Erne to the creatures, characters and magical worlds beneath the surface, we’re diving deep into the imagination for 2027.

Plenty of time to get working on those floats!!

🎭 Groups, organisations, businesses, schools and community groups - start thinking about how you could bring our theme to life in the parade. Mermaids? Mythical creatures? Lough Erne legends? Lost treasures? Or something completely bonkers? We want to see it! 🧜‍♀️🐙

But it’s not just floats…

We’re back meeting and planning for 2027, and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved in any aspect of the event.

Whether you’ve got ideas, creative skills, event experience, can help with organising, entertainment, community engagement, fundraising, promotion, logistics… or simply fancy getting stuck in and helping make it happen - get in touch.

There’ll be all the usual St Patrick’s Day favourites too…

☘️ The Parade
🚤 Illuminated Flotilla
🎶 Live music
🎉 Fringe events
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Free Family Fun Day
…and plenty of craic along the way.

And we’re working on something brand new too 👀

✈️ Thinking of booking time off or travelling to see us?

You might want to keep Monday free…

We’re working on a third event for the Monday, because if we’re going to have an extra-long St Patrick’s Day weekend, we want to make it really worthwhile! 🎉🥁

More details coming soon…

📅 St Patrick’s 2027 15-17 March
📍 Enniskillen, Ireland’s Only Island Town

Six months. Let’s get to work. ☘️🌊



Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Experience Enniskillen Gráinne Knox Art

20/07/2026

Thank you so much to The Ulster Archaeological Society for highlighting Aghalurcher - part of the Lough Erne Pilgrim Way - in their Ulster Monuments Monday post!

17/07/2026

Destination Devenish?

No roads lead to Devenish Island. Only reachable by boat. That's what makes it sacred – a place to step away from the everyday, where seekers have journeyed for over 1000 years searching for something deeper.

Ready to slow down? The Pilgrim Pass includes your guided boat tour across Lough Erne on the iconic yellow Erne Water Taxi, plus admission to Enniskillen Castle Museums.

Daily departures: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm (July & August)

Get YOURS at www.ernewatertaxi.com