White Island, Fermanagh
White Island is an island lying in Lower Lough Erne, in Fermanagh. It sits in Castle Archdale Bay off the east shore of the lough. It is also a townland of the county.
The ruins of an ancient church are found near the shore, built on the site of an earlier monastic settlement. It still has an intact arched Romanesque doorway.
- The Church and carved figures are State Care Historic Monuments.[1]
- The rath, earthwork, and area surrounding the monument are scheduled historic monuments[2]
The island is accessed by ferry from the marina in Castle Archdale Country Park, near Irvinestown.
Features
The ruined church on the island has a reconstructed plain Romanesque doorway. Secured to the north side of the south wall are eight carvings (seven figures and one head) built into the masonry of the church.[3] Most of the figures were carved wearing the long tunics of churchmen. They are all carved in quartzite and were probably constructed between 800 and 1000, and were later used as building stones in the church, before being uncovered in recent centuries. Helen Hickey has identified them as three pairs of caryatids. Each pair a different height and suggests that because of the sockets on the top of their heads that they may have supported a pulpit or preaching chair of an earlier possible wooden church. One popular theory is that the figures illustrate an episode in the life of St. Patrick, when Patrick heals a local King. This event is linked strongly with the Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
There are eight figures in all, including an uncarved figure, suggesting the figures were carved on-site, and a frowning face, or "mask". From left to right, the figures are as follows:
- Presumed to be a Sheela na Gig - a statue of a grinning, naked female figure with its hands resting on its thighs. However the gender of the figure cannot be completely discerned from the carving, due to the lack of detail. Known to archaeologists as an 'exhibitionist figure', 'Sheelas' are common throughout Ireland and are often found over church doorways and windows.
- A seated figure, presumed to represent a Christ figure. It is similar to a representation of a seated Christ in the Book of Kells, supporting Hickey's view that the figures supported an Ambro (lectern or pulpit used by clergy to proclaim the Gospel).
- Supposedly an abbot, or similarly highly ranking clerical figure. It is hooded, and holding a crook and a bell.
- Possibly David with hand pointing to his mouth. This is a reference to David's role as a psalmist. This figure is shown to be holding a scroll, and has a pouch hanging from its belt.
- Identified by Hickey as 'Christ with Griffins', accompanied by
- Possibly 'Christ the warrior with sword & shield'. The latter figure is shown to be wearing a penannular brooch of 9th- or 10th-century fashion.
- Uncarved, and thus blank
- A frowning head.
An inscribed cross-carved stone was discovered built into the wall around the church.[3]
History
It is recorded in the Annals that the Vikings attacked and destroyed the monasteries in Lough Erne in A.D.837. For at least 400 years therefore these carvings may have laid in the ruins before a stone Romanesque style church was built.
Location
- Location map: 54°29’20"N, 7°44’10"W
- OS grid ref: H17536000
Outside links
References
- ↑ List of State Care Monuments (Historic Environment Division)
- ↑ Scheduled Historic Monuments, 1 April 2019: Historic Environment Division, DoCNI
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Weir, A (1980). Early Ireland. A Field Guide. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. p. 147.
