scattery round tower and churches

Scattery Churches and Round Tower The island of Scattery is just off the small port of Kilrush. The monastery on the island was founded in the 6th century by St. Senan, who like, St. Kevin of Glendalough, had a notorious dislike of women! One of his pupils was St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois. It was attacked and looted by the Vikings in 816 and 835 and it is thought the Vikings occupied the monastery from 972 to 975, but were captured by Brian Boru. The most distinguishing characteristic of the monastery is the 120 foot round tower, which surprisingly has a door on ground level. Doors were usually several feet off the ground. The church of the Hill of the Angel is south - west of the round tower. The legend connected with this church tells that an Angel placed St. Senan on the hill, as he was about to fight a horrible monster. St. Senan won the fight and killed it. The monastery remained important up until the15th century, but was destroyed by Elizabethan troops.