Scattery Island Centre

Scattery Island stands among the great monastic sites of Ireland, early Christian places of study and worshipped that flourished across the Irish landscape. The Island lays claim to a rich constellation of ruins. 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.

While Scattery enjoyed relative seclusion, being an island, over the centuries it succumbed to numerous invasions, including the Vikings who claimed and named the site in the 9th century. (Scattery is thought to be a derivation of the Norse word for treasure, which is Scatty.) Brian Boru later recaptured the island which continued as an important place of worship through the 12th century.

The main church on the island is Teampall Naomh Mhuire (Cathedral of Saint Mary), situated next to the round tower. 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.

Beside the round tower on Scattery Island there is also a holy well, called Tobar Sinean, a place of great reverence for the islanders, who annually held a pattern on St. Senan’s Feast Day on 8th March. Like Ireland's other early Christian sites, Scattery Island lays claim to the remains of a saint. 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.

If You Go: Scattery Island Centre is open June - September: Daily 10.00 - 18.00. To visit Scattery Island contact local boat operator for boat departure times.