Project Updates
Launched on 9th September 2021, check out the fabulous video below, telling the story of the Inishmacsaint Church.
On Sunday, 12 September we were very honoured to have been invited to join the Inishmacsaint Parish Chuch community to attend the unveiling of the memorial stone erected in memory of the members of the Ely family buried in the church crypt. Bishop Ian Ellis unveiled the stone, joined by the Revd Stephanie Woods and members of the graveyard committee.
Inishmacsaint Parish Church welcomed members of the general public to learn more about the heritage of this unique building and surrounding area over two days in early September (Saturday 11th September 2021 – 10am to 6pm and Sunday 12th September 2021 – 2pm to 6pm) as part of Festival Lough Erne.
Over the two days, 176 people attended the Open Days. 30 volunteers supported throughout the weekend and contributed 120 volunteer hours to make the weekend a fantastic success.
Other activities over the weekend included:
- Historical talks – on the Ely family by Fermanagh Genealogy Centre.
- Tours of graveyard and tours of Church
- The vault headstone was unveiled during the Sunday Service on 12th September 2021
- Activities for children
Moreover, in preparation for the event, Revd Stephanie Woods compiled two fabulous booklets: one on the history of the church and the Ely family, and the second detailing the providence and meaning of the stained glass in the church. These were made available at the European Heritage Open Weekend, and copies are still available at the church.
There was also a feature on the event in The Clogher Diocesan Magazine cdm202109rs.pdf (anglican.org) and the Inishmacsaint Parish Church Heritage and Environment Project also received coverage in newspapers published in Fermanagh and beyond
The Fermanagh Genealogy Centre produced a very detailed and interesting report on the Lotus-Tottenham family, one of Fermanagh’s most influential Planter families, including information on the Ely family tree, the Ely Lodge estate and the surrounding townlands. The report also explains the connection between the Lotus-Tottenham family and Inishmacsaint lace.
