Unsurprisingly the White Island ferry exists to ferry people back and forth from White Island, the location of a series of beautiful early Christian stone carvings dating from pre-Norman times and the ruins of a 12th century church on which I have written a separate entry – White Island Carvings and Church.
The ferry departs from Castle Archdale Country Park Marina.
Realistically the only reason you would take the ferry is to see the stone carvings and the church. That said there are two additional incidental reasons for taking this ferry, firstly to get out onto Lower Lough Erne, albeit briefly, and secondly to hear about Castle Archdale’s (the adjacent estate) important role during World War II. The latter is an additional ‘free service’ provided by the ferryman. The ferryman, whose name I unfortunately cannot recall, has an excellent knowledge on local military history and is more than willing to tell visitors all about Castle Archdale’s war time role.
My reader may be wondering where I am going here so let me explain.
In my review on Castle Archdale (originally written in 2013) I indicated that there was a small World War II exhibition in the Visitors Centre concentrating on the role of Castle Archdale and flying boats during the war. In 1942 Castle Archdale and indeed the whole estate, was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force. It quickly became a major RAF base, housing up to 2,500 people. PBY Catalinas and Short Sunderlands flying boats flew from here to protect Atlantic shipping from German U-boats.
By the time of my 2015 visit Government funding cuts for tourism means that the museum is now only open from noon to 4pm on a Sunday. So while you can wander around the grounds and view the buildings there is nothing to provide any context – hence my recommendation is that you take the ferry to White Island prior to visiting Castle Archdale!
The ferry operates daily during July and August, and on weekends and bank (public) holidays during March April, May, June and September. The ferry runs hourly between 10am and 6pm with the last ferry leaving from marina to White Island at 5pm.
The trip to White Island takes about 15 minutes. The ferry waits at the island jetty for around 20-25 minutes before returning to the marina. 20-25 minutes is sufficient to see the church and stone carvings. The remainder of the small island is off limits to visitors.
The return ferry ride costs GBP4 and tickets should be purchased in the marina shop/office.
Outside the dates/times referred to above there is no organised transport to White Island.
Address: Castle Archdale Country Park Marina
Directions: Three miles south of Kesh off the B82
Phone: (028) 686 21156
Website: http://www.castlearchdaleboathire.com/whiteisland.html
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on many trips to Enniskillen. I suggest you continue with my next entry – White Island – Carvings and Church – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – “Fare thee well Enniskillen, ………..”
The Rambling Wombat 