scattery island heritage centre

The island of battles is a mistranslation of Scattery Island's ancient name, Inis Cathaigh, the Island of the Cathach, a legendary sea-serpent, but, mistranslation or not, it is a fitting name for a place that has seen so much bloodshed.

As legend has it, the Cathach had his lair on the island. He terrorised the inhabitants of the surrounding region from here until he was banished by St. Senan, and imprisoned beneath the waters of Doo Lough, near Mount Callan.

Viking raids were a frequent occurrence until the Vikings of Limerick settled on the island.

This small island in the mouth of the Shannon, just out from Kilrush, encapsulated the history of ecclesiastical Ireland. During the sixth century St. Senan, the patron saint of West Clare, founded a monastic establishment here which developed into collegiate church.

Today one can walk around Scattery in a few hours and gaze on the ruins of a fine round tower, four churches, a castle, a battery dating from Napoleonic times, and the remains of a village deserted by the last of its inhabitants in 1978.

The Information Centre on the mainland interprets the island on which a monastery is sited. The monastery, consisting of a round tower and several churches, was founded by Saint Senan in the early part of the 6th century. His most famous pupil was Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. An exhibition on the history of these monuments and on the wildlife of the area is housed in the Centre.

There is access for visitors with disabilities to the ground floor. Last admission 45 minutes before closing.

The Centre is open June to September, 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

It operates daily ferry services to Scattery.