You may never have heard of it, but Inis Rath, Hare Krishna Island, could be a rewarding stop when visiting Northern Ireland’s County Fermanagh, south of Enniskillen, across the border from County They dig. You will literally take a ferry to a different world. And you will be welcome there too.
Inis Rath (also nicknamed and marked Hare Krishna Island) is a small island on Lough Erne. Where once wealthy landowners and their guests enjoyed shooting, these days the activities are much more peaceful. Because while the deer are still there at times, the hares have taken over, though not the long-eared furry ones. Owned by ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (better known as the Hare Krishna movement to most people), it is a center for the Hindu faith, a nature reserve, an educational center, and a retreat.
Taking the ferry to the temple
Getting to Inis Rath is not so easy: from the A509 in Derrylin, you will have to take Ballyconnell Road, following the signs sometimes on rather rustic roads, until you reach a small car park at the end of the road, next to Lough Erne. With signs telling you that you can visit Inis Rath, if only to enjoy nature – there are forest walks around the island and wide swaths of sensibly landscaped gardens. But you’ll have to take the slow boat… a ferry runs at set times on Sundays, and in a matter of minutes you’ll find yourself in seemingly total isolation, free to do whatever you want.
On other days, you will need to ring the bell or call ahead (+442867723878 or +447827504332 from your mobile phone or a landline in Northern Ireland, 048-6772-3878 from a landline in the Republic of Ireland).
However, being free to do what you want has its limits – as Inis Rath is a private island, you will have to observe certain rules here. These include not smoking, not drinking alcohol, and not eating meat, all of which are clearly marked. These rules also apply to those sailing on Lough Erne and using the Inis Rath jetty as a stop.
In addition to its natural attractions, Inis Rath houses a Hindu temple in the main building (which is the old hunting lodge, a charming Victorian relic in its own right) – not only used by ‘Western’ devotees of the Hare Krishna movement, but also Many Indians residing in Ireland. The overall feeling is multicultural, friendly, and generally welcoming: visitors will experience acceptance, may be drawn into conversation, but will never be pressured to join any religious ceremony. On the other hand …
No one will kick you out if you want to experience the ceremonies, as long as you behave respectfully.
Services on Hare Krishna Island
Inis Rath visitors should come prepared and bring a few things of their own: have some snacks (but avoid anything that is not vegetarian please … so no dried meat) and some water or similar drinks (definitely non-alcoholic), yes you plan to spend time here. There is no store on the island. In fact, other than the eco-friendly toilet, the amenities you can rely on are next to nil. You’ll get a refreshing drink of water in the kitchen, but that’s all you can rely on.
If you bring children… there is a large playground between the temple and the old boathouse (which, along with the jetty, should be out of the reach of unsupervised children).
Why would one visit Hare Krishna Island?
Aside from the obvious answer, namely, join the devotees in worship?
The first answer that comes to mind is … nature. Although (or maybe because) it is only partially landscaped and partly given over to the wild, Inis Rath is a pleasure to explore. There are island walks dotted with life-size illustrations of Hindu mythology, taking you through old forests, along the water’s edge, and through bushes that are just great in bloom.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life or need a break from the usual tourist trail, head to Inis Rath. No strings attached.
Mis Bath Essentials:
Address – Hare Krishna Temple, Krishna Island, Derrylin, County Fermanagh, BT92 9GN
Telephone – 028-67723878 (business hours are given daily between 4:30 am and 8:30 pm on the website)
Website – www.krishnaisland.com
Navigation – for GPS or sat nav systems, Govindadwipa to Inis Rath ferry coordinates are N 54 ° 11.482´ – W 007 ° 29.409´ – you can also use UK post code BT92 9GN
