Located approximately one mile off Kilrush, Scattery Island is home to a monastic settlement founded in the early 6th century by St. Senan who was born locally.
There are the ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland, 120 feet high, with it’s unusual feature of it’s door at ground level. Scattery has had many invasions down through the centuries; the Vikings invaded during the early 9th century but Brian Boru later recaptured the island. It is believed that Scattery is a derivation of the Norse word for treasure, which is Scatty.
The main church on the island is Teampall Naomh Mhuire (Cathedral of Saint Mary), situated next to the round tower. Scattery for a time in the 12th century administered to a diocese. There is an effigy of a bishop’s head on the outside of the east window of the Cathedral believed to be that of St. Senan. The holy well, called Tobar Sinean, beside the round tower was of great reverence and respect by the islanders. It was also associated with a pattern held on St. Senan’s Feast Day on 8th March. St. Senan is believed to have died in the year 544 and is reputed to be buried in St. Senan’s Bed beside Temple Senan a small 12th Century Romanesque church.
An exhibition of the history of the island is housed in the visitor reception building, which is situated near the pier.
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