Rowallane and Slieve Croob Twinning Group in Devenish Island trip

Rowallane and Slieve Croob Twinning Group in Devenish Island trip

18 September 2024

MEMBERS of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group visited Devenish Island in Enniskillen recently.

Almost 50 members made the journey by coach, enjoying tea, coffee and scones at the Killyhevlin Hotel before making their way to the MV Kestrel for the scenic tour of the city and Devenish Island, home to one of the finest monastic sites in Northern Ireland. 

The visitors were treated to a commentary on the island town of Enniskillen and the history of the island where a round tower, thought to date from the 12th century is situated is locarted, as are the walls of the Oratory of Saint Molaise who established the monastery in the 6th century, on a pilgrim route to Croagh Patrick in County Mayo. 

It became a centre of scholarship and although raided by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, it later flourished as the site of the parish church and St Mary’s Augustinian Priory.

After the scenic boat trip, there was ample free time for group members to explore the fantastic views over Lough Erne and they had a few hours to enjoy a leisurely lunch, to visit Enniskillen Castle or browse local shops.

This trip was funded by Newry Mourne and Down Council through Financial Assistance from the Police Community Safety Partnership. 

The Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group has delivered this project now for four years with the aim to sustain a Rural Support Network, through delivering workshops, walks, tours and wellbeing sessions to reduce social isolation and to achieve greater cross-community involvement.

Today sees the return of the twinning group’s Irish For All Language Classes in the Reading Room of the Dan Rice Hall in Drumaness.

The classes continue for 24 weeks until May and anyone wishing to refresh the Irish which they learned in school, or who want to learn some Irish in a fun, relaxed environment, please come along and try the class. Everyone is welcome.

On Wednesday, October 23, the twinning group is running an afternoon tea dance at Ballynahinch Rugby Club from 1.30 pm until 5pm. 

The Spa Waters mini documentary will be launched at the tea dance which is the latest of our Ballynahinch History series of videos, which are part of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group’s Arts and Culture project. 

The group’s esteemed local historian, Horace Reid, has spent over 20 years researching the local history of the greater Ballynahinch area, with the videos available to view on the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group YouTube site.

On November 13 and 15, the twinning group is organising health and wellness sessions in the Rowallane Community Hub. Three therapists will deliver reflexology, Indian Head Massages, facials and head and back massages.

And two afternoon talks are planned on the Townlands of the Saintfield area on Friday, November 22 and on the Townlands of the Ballynahinch area on November 29, with Joyce Gibson sharing the meaning of our townlands,  many of which are derived from their original Irish names.

Next January 2025, the twinning group is planning to launch its Ballynahinch suite of videos with a musical event and also organising another Fíor Céilí in the Dan Rice Hall  

Anyone interested in joining any of the events or wish to learn more about the work of the twinning group should email RSCCTG@icould.com or telephone/text/WhatsApp Karen on 07979 304479.