Steine von Killadeas

The Steine von Killadeas stand on a gentle rise above Lower Lough Erne, a few kilometres north of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Four separate stones survive: a Cross Slab, a Bishop’s Stone, a Loch Stone and a Pillar Stone. They sit close to the modern parish church, but their history reaches back to the early Christian centuries. Archaeologists believe the site began as a pagan stone circle before becoming an early church. The stones carry carvings that link them to the monastic tradition of White Island nearby. The Cross Slab carries a Maltese cross in relief on its front face, its four arms ending in triple knots. More than twelve cup marks cover the back, showing it was once a multiple bullaun reused as a cross marker. The Bishop’s Stone shows a robed cleric with a staff, bell and shoes carved in shallow relief. A worn inscription once read ‘Robarta’ according to Macalister. The Loch Stone has a single oval hole near its base, while the Pillar Stone is a plain, lichen-covered column that once stood in a wider stone cult. Visitors walk a short grassy path from the church car park to the stones. The Cross Slab stands just beyond the Pillar Stone, while the Bishop’s Stone and Loch Stone lie further north. The setting overlooks the lough and distant drumlins, giving a quiet view of water and woodland. The stones themselves show the weathering of centuries, their carvings softened by rain and wind. A single information board explains each piece without crowding the scene.