21 August 2000
SAM FOSTER 'TRAILS' BACK TIME AT DEVENISH MONASTIC SITE, FERMANAGH
Mr Sam Foster, MLA, Minister for the Environment, today took a 'trail' back in time at the Devenish monastic site in County Fermanagh. He attended an event led by noted heritage educationalist Tim Copeland, which recreated life there in medieval times. The event was organised by the Historic Buildings Council as part of its 'Time Quest' intended to raise awareness of Northern Ireland's historic buildings and monuments.
In welcoming everyone to the family education event, Mr Foster said:
"Devenish monastic site is the jewel in the crown of Fermanagh's historic sites, appreciated by tourists and the public alike. As a Fermanagh man, and not being biased in any way, I have to say that one could hardly find a more beautiful site for such an event!
"It is important though that our children learn to understand and appreciate their heritage. I welcome the many events taking place today including the intriguing- 'find out how to be a wall!' and the Time Quest competition.
"A big thank you must therefore go to Tim Copeland, who has travelled from Cheltenham in England to help us not only to understand but re-create life in medieval times. I would also like to pay tribute to Primrose Wilson and her colleagues on the Historic Buildings Council for organising this event, part of their 'Time Quest-a time trail to the millennium'. It is in fact a marvellous programme of events for the public, highlighting heritage treasures throughout the border counties."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Devenish Monastic Site event commenced at 2pm with the arrival of Minister for the Environment, Mr Sam Foster MLA.
Parents and their children gathered at the DOE's Environment and Heritage Service ferry near Enniskillen and embarked on a short crossing over the waters of Lower Lough Erne to the picturesque monastic remains. There, in the shadow of the 12th-century round tower, Tim Copeland shared his expertise of how to understand and re-create life in medieval times.
The Historic Buildings Council advises the Department of the Environment on matters pertaining to historic buildings. The Council has also had a lead role in promoting the annual European Heritage Open Days, when the doors of historic buildings are thrown open to the public. This year's Open Days will take place on 9/10 September, throughout the province.
The 'Time Quest - a Time trail to the Millennium' was launched at Grianan stone fort, County Donegal, in autumn 1999. The programme, organised by the Historic Buildings Council, runs throughout 2000 and will conclude at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, in spring 2001. The programme includes events at historic monuments and buildings in Counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Armagh and Tyrone, and Belfast. For further information telephone Paula Kernohan at (028) 9054 3078 or see the website at
http://www.niclr.com/timequestMost important of Lough Erne's many island monasteries, Devenish was founded in the 6th century by St Molaise. It was raided by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, but in the Middle Ages flourished as the site of the parish church and St Mary's Augustinian Priory. The earliest buildings are St Molaise's House (a very small church) and the fine round tower close by, both with accomplished Romanesque decoration and of the 12th century. Teampull Mór, the lower church, is early 13th century with a beautifully moulded south window. It was extended to the east in about 1300, and later additions include a residential wing to the north and the Maguire Chapel to the south, with 17th-century heraldic slabs. St Mary's Augustinian Priory on the hilltop is of the mid 15th and early 16th centuries, with church, tower and small north cloister. In its graveyard stands an unusual, intricately carved high cross of the mid 15th century. In the thatched site museum (built 1976-8) some of the many loose stones are displayed and set in their historical context.
For further media information please contact Philip Maguire or Paddy Murphy, DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0013 and 028 9054 0014 respectively.