SCATTERY ISLAND
A Journey Through Time
This timeline weaves together the captivating eras of Scattery Island—from its sacred beginnings and architectural marvels to the enduring legacy of its monastic and Viking tales—inviting you to step back in time and experience history firsthand.
5th–6th Century
The Saint & the Serpent
(488-544) In the early Christian era, St. Senan arrives to Scattery and establishes a monastic settlement after he famously banishes the mythical sea serpent, The Cathagh. This marks the beginning of Scattery’s role as a spiritual refuge and a centre of early Christian learning.
8th–11th Century
The Viking Era
(795 – 1101) Beginning in 795, Norse raiders target Irish coasts—including Scattery. Ivar the Boneless attacks in 866. Later, alliances shift and the island becomes a Norse settlement, until further raids from Dublin Vikings and Magnus Barefoot. Despite the turmoil, Scattery’s monastic community endures, reinforcing its sacred reputation amid political upheaval.
12th Century
Norman Invasions &
Ecclesiastical Decline
(1176 – 1189) The Normans arrive in 1176, attacking the island multiple times. By 1189, Scattery’s diocese is dissolved, marking the end of its ecclesiastical power.
Early 16th Century
Rebellions & Refuge
(1537 – 1583) During the First Desmond Rebellion (1579–1583), rebels sought refuge on Scattery Island as they evaded English forces. The island’s remoteness made it a strategic hideout in the growing resistance to Tudor expansion in Munster.
Late 16th Century
Elizabethan Power & the Spanish Armada
(1583 – 1588) In 1583, Queen Elizabeth I granted O’Cathain Castle on Scattery to the Mayor of Limerick, rewarding loyal colonial allies. Just five years later, in 1588, a damaged ship from the Spanish Armada, La Anunciada, was scuttled near the island after being refused assistance by the islands landlord at the time.
17th–19th Century
Strategic Importance & the Napoleonic Battery
(1798 – 1814) Scattery becomes a strategic maritime site. A Napoleonic battery is built in 1814, and river pilots settle here, founding a new village. The island’s role evolves from spiritual sanctuary to military lookout and estuary navigation hub. Remarkably, the island’s population grows during the Great Famine—an unusual exception in Irish history.
Mid–Late 19th Century
Island Life Flourishes
(1843 – 1930’s) With a population peak of 141, Scattery thrives with a school, lighthouse, and post office supporting a close-knit community. Remarkably, the island’s population grows during the Great Famine—an unusual exception in Irish history.
20th Century
Gradual Departure & Final Farewell
(1933 – 1978) Modernisation leads to gradual decline. The lighthouse is automated, the school closes, and the final families depart by 1978. Though the island empties, its spirit remains deeply rooted in living memory.
1989–Present
Preservation & New Purpose
Scattery is purchased by the Irish State in 1989. A visitor centre opens in 2004, welcoming the public to explore its layered history. Now a protected heritage site, Scattery offers a window into the past—and a vision for regenerative and sustainable tourism.
2022 – Present
Continued Investment and Preservation
The village is fully restored in 2022 and work begins on renovating the land agents home in 2023. We also began work on restoring the Lightkeepers Cottage, the only privately owned piece of property on Scattery Island.