By Bernd Biege
Ireland Travel Expert, abc.com
You may never have heard of it - but Inis Rath, the Hare Krishna Island, might be a rewarding stop when visiting County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, south of Enniskillen, just across the border from County Cavan. You'll literally take a ferry into a different world. And you'll be made very welcome there as well.
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Inis
Rath (also nicknamed and signposted as Hare Krishna Island) is a small
island in Lough Erne. Where once rich landowners and their guests
enjoyed shooting, these days pursuits are much more peaceful. Because
while the stags are still there at times, the Hares have taken over -
not the long-eared, furry ones, though. Owned by ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(better known as the Hare Krishna movement to most people), it is a
centre for the Hindu faith, a nature reserve, an educational centre, and
a retreat.
Taking the Ferry to the Temple
Getting to Inis
Rath is not that easy - from the A509 at Derrylin you'll have to take
the Ballyconnell Road, following the signs over at times quite rustic
roads, until you reach a small car park at the very end of the road,
next to Lough Erne.
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With signs that tell you that you are welcome
to visit Inis Rath, even if simply to enjoy nature – there are woodland
walks around the island and wide swathes of sensibly landscaped gardens.
But you'll have to take the slow boat ... a ferry runs at set times on
Sundays, and you'll find yourself within minutes in a seemingly total
isolation, free to do what you like. On other days you'll have to ring
the bell, or to ring ahead (+442867723878 or +447827504332 from your
mobile or a Northern Irish landline, 048-6772-3878 from a landline in
the Republic of Ireland).
Being free to do what you like has,
however, its limits - as Inis Rath is a private island, you will have to
observe certain rules here.
These include no smoking, no drinking of alcohol,
and no eating of meat, all of which are clearly signposted. These rules
also apply to those cruising on Lough Erne and using Inis Rath's jetty as a stop.
Apart
from 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 "Western" devotees from the Hare
Krishna movement use it, but also many Indians resident in Ireland.
The overall feeling is multi-cultural,
friendly, and over all welcoming - visitors will experience acceptance,
may be drawn into conversation, but will never be pressured into joining
any religious ceremonies. On the other hand ... no-one will throw you
out if you want to experience the ceremonies, as long as you behave
respectful.
Amenities on the Hare Krishna Island[post_ads_2]
Visitors
to Inis Rath should come prepared, and bring a few things of their own –
take a few snacks (but avoid anything non-vegetarian, please ... so no
beef jerky) and some water or similar drinks (definitely no alcohol), if
you plan to spend time here.
There is no shop on the island. In fact, apart
from the eco-friendly toilet block, amenities you can rely on are almost
zero. You'll get a refreshing drink of water in the scullery, but that
is all you can reliably count upon.
If you bring kids ... there is
a great playground between the temple and the old boathouse (which,
along with the jetty, should be off limits for unsupervised children).
Why Would One Visit the Hare Krishna Island
Apart from the obvious answer, namely to join the devotees in worship?
The
first answer that comes to mind is ... nature. Though (or maybe
because) only partly landscaped, and partly given over to untamed
wildness, Inis Rath is a joy to explore. There are walks around the
island dotted with life-size illustrations from Hindu mythology, leading
you to aged woods, to the waterside, and through shrubbery that is
simply 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
for Inis Rath. No strings attached.
Inis Rath Essentials:
Address - Hare Krishna Temple, Krishna Island, Derrylin, County Fermanagh, BT92 9GN
Telephone - 028-67723878 (business hours are given as daily between 4:30 am and 8:30 pm on the website)
Website - www.krishnaisland.com
Navigation - for GPS or satellite navigation systems, the coordinates to the Govindadwipa Ferry to Inis Rath are N 54° 11.482´ - W 007° 29.409´ - you can also use the UK postcode BT92 9GN
Telephone - 028-67723878 (business hours are given as daily between 4:30 am and 8:30 pm on the website)
Website - www.krishnaisland.com
Navigation - for GPS or satellite navigation systems, the coordinates to the Govindadwipa Ferry to Inis Rath are N 54° 11.482´ - W 007° 29.409´ - you can also use the UK postcode BT92 9GN
