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(Written by Morgan Roughan) They used to say that Ireland was “The Land of Saints & Scholars”.  A boast that is accurate as our history in this field of spreading Christianity is unparalleled. We grew up listening to the exploits of St’s Patrick, Brendan the Navigator, Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, Colmcille who fought the Lough Ness…

Celtic literature is full of fascinating stories that offer a glimpse into the ancient beliefs and customs of the monks. One such story is entitled “The little boys who went to Heaven” and tells the story of the first dead who were buried on Scattery Island. The story is recorded in early Celtic literature, translated…

Scattery Island is a place of exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity. A paradise, where a rich array of flora and fauna flourish. The island is a designated Special Area of Conservation, and because of this, has escaped modern development or commercialization, allowing nature to thrive as intended. It really is the perfect example of how…

A well-known figure in Irish folklore, St. Senan is known for his miracles and acts of bravery. One of the most famous legends surrounding St. Senan, is his defeat of the Monster Cathaigh on Scattery Island. The story’s enduring appeal lies in its themes of good versus evil, courage in the face of danger, and…

And they would look out to sea and wait…… Wait for their men to come home from work, piloting ships along the dangerous waters of the Shannon then returning home to the island in their Currachs  (known as canoes ), or seafaring for months or years at a time with the Royal or Merchant Navy….

  “For a small island, Scattery Island has quite a range of habitats, that includes salt marsh, coastal gravel banks, grassland, and scrub. These habitats support a variety of plants, birds and animals. While what follows is not an exhaustive list of species, I hope that it may be enough to whet your appetite and…

Storytelling is truly living history.  I love listening to my Dad tell me stories of his time on Scattery Island.  He brings it alive, the characters, the whipping wind across the waves and the image of sitting in front of a crackling fire. What stories would you tell about this time we are living in? …

Christmas will be very different this year – for everyone.  It’s feels like an appropriate year to look back and remember that Christmas wasn’t always about frenzied shopping for gifts, the over indulgent treats and ‘Christmas FM’ blasting out festive tune on the radio as we race around doing all those last little jobs in…

Have you noticed Social Media has changed over the past week, facebook and Instagram have become a lot less “this is what I do” and a lot “more what can we do for you?” Communities are pulling together in ways not seen for decades. In Kilrush Offers from our local stores to deliver ready meals,…

Saint Senan (c. 488-544)   As we flick through social media and absorb stories about celebrities and news from around the globe in an instant, try to imagine what it was like in the years around   488-544, when a young man was born, near Kilimer in County Clare.     Just how extraordinary did one…

We often get asked.. “but what will I do on an uninhabited island for five hours?!!”… So we thought we’d share some tips on the best way to enjoy Scattery Island and our new Great Island Experience Tour. But first off.. lets dispense with some of the fearful myths!.. “Yes”… there is 4G on the island…

  The older name for Scattery is  Inis Cathaigh, an Island steeped in tradition. The recent social history of Scattery Island can be said to have begun with the settling of a number of families from the Kilbaha district of West Clare.  A number of these family names included Melichan, Griffin, Keane, Hanrahan, Scanlon, Moran, Brennan…