Clog an Oir
St. Senan's Bell Shrine
St. Senan's Bell Shrine is now housed in the National Museum in Dublin. This casing is thought to have held St. Senan's Bell.
St. Senan's Bell Shrine
St. Senan's Bell Shrine
St. Senan's Bell Shrine is now housed in the National Museum in Dublin. This casing is thought to have held St. Senan's Bell.
Many stories about Scattery Island relate to St. Senan's Bell or 'Clog an Óir' in Irish. Legend has it that the bell came down from Heaven and reached St. Senan in West Clare.
It is believed to have been connected to many miracles and mysteries over the centuries. It is told how the bell was used to detect of someone was telling a lie. A gentleman in Galway sent his servant to borrow the bell to test his servants about a theft. The servant he sent to fetch the bell was in fact the thief. On his journey back form Scattery he threw the bell into the sea. When he reached Galway, he told his master that keepers of the bell would not lend it. 'You are a liar' said his master, 'for there it is on the table before you'. The bell had magically appeared and had indeed identified the liar and thief.
St Senan's Bed
Blocked Entrance, St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
An iron bar blocks the entrance to St. Senan's Bed. According to local custom, if a young woman enters the small building she will never marry.
Blocked Entrance, St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
Blocked Entrance, St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
An iron bar blocks the entrance to St. Senan's Bed. According to local custom, if a young woman enters the small building she will never marry.
It is considered unlucky for any unmarried woman to enter the small oratory known as St. Senan's Bed. According to local custom, she will never marry, if she does so.
Stones from St. Senan's Bed were regarded as relics and as a protection against disease and drowning. It was the custom for each boat on Scattery to bring on board a pebble from St. Senan's grave. The stones were sometimes worn around the neck.
The Miracle on Scattery
View of Scattery
A view of Scattery Island. The round tower can be seen in the distance.
View of Scattery
View of Scattery
A view of Scattery Island. The round tower can be seen in the distance.
In the 1860s, a woman who lived on the island, Mrs, Corbett, was struck down with paralysis. She was unable to move or stir any of her limbs. For three years she suffered the affliction. She dreamt that if she slept on St. Senan's grave she would be cured.
Her friends carried her to the place where St. Senan is thought to be buried, and laid her body down. To their great surprise, when her friends came to collect her the next morning they found that Mrs. Corbett could walk once more. She lived for many more years and enjoyed excellent good health.