Boa Island

Boa Island lies in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on Lower Lough Erne. It stretches about eight kilometres long and is the largest island on the lough. A single road crosses the island from east to west, linking it to the mainland by two bridges. The island holds several scheduled historic monuments, including a counterscarp rath and an old graveyard. Near the southern tip stands a ruined cairn, the oldest stone structure on the island. The landscape is quiet, with gentle slopes and views over the water. Two carved stone figures draw visitors to the Caldragh graveyard. The Dreenan and Lustymore figures date from the 1st century AD and are thought to represent pagan deities. Both were badly damaged when found and now stand on separate pillars under a protective canopy. The graveyard itself belongs to the early Christian period, between the 5th and 9th centuries. Nearby, a counterscarp rath and an enclosure add to the island’s archaeological interest. The setting remains peaceful, with the lough reflecting the sky above. A sombre reminder of the past is the 1944 plane crash site off the island’s shore. A Royal Air Force Catalina flying boat lost control during a training flight and crashed into the lough, killing seven of the ten crew. The island’s quiet fields and old stones contrast with this wartime memory. Visitors walk past the figures, the rath, and the graveyard without crowds. The view across the water changes with the light, from misty dawns to calm evenings.