Scattery

Scattery, also known as Inis Cathaig in Irish, is a small tidal island off the west coast of Ireland, located in County Clare at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary near Kilrush. The island is prominent for its early Christian monastic settlement and the surviving ruins that reflect a long, multifaceted history.

Historically, Scattery was the site of a monastery founded by Saint Senan in the 6th century. It became an important religious community in the early medieval period and attracted scholars, pilgrims, and visitors. Today’s ruins include a round tower, a 12th-century church ruin, and remains of beehive cells and other monastic buildings, illustrating the layout and daily life of the ancient settlement.

The island’s history also bears the marks of Viking raids in the later first millennium, which disrupted monastic life and left durable traces in the region’s archaeology. Through the medieval period, the site experienced decline and transformation, with later structures built atop or alongside older foundations. The visible remnants span multiple phases of construction and use.

In contemporary times, Scattery Island is a place of historical interest and tourism. It is accessible by boat from Kilrush, offering guided visits to its monastic ruins and landscape. A lighthouse marks the western end of the island, serving ships navigating the Shannon estuary. The site remains an important resource for understanding early Irish Christianity, maritime history, and regional archaeology.