First published by Chalice Well Trust, 1982, reprinted by permission.

THE HOLY ISLAND of DEVENISH lies in lower Lough Erne about two miles north-west of Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. Its ancient name was Daimhinis, "The Isle of the Ox". Irish legends tell us that Jeremiah came to Ireland after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, bringing with him the Royal Princess Teah Tephi, the Ark of the Covenant and the Lia Fail, now known as the Stone of Scone. Both he and the Ark are reputed to be buried on Devenish. Ollamh Fodhla, the sage and law-giver of early Irish history was said to have been Jeremiah.

On the summit of the Island, faintly discernible are the remains of a stone and earthen rath, or circle. This rath has probably been used as a safe place of habitation as well. In the beginning of the sixth century A.D.,  St. Molaise, also known as St. Laserian, established a monastic school on Devenish, and at his death in A.D. 563 it was a seat of learning of considerable size and fame.