St. Senan and Scattery
St. Senan's Well, Scattery
St. Senan's Well lies about 70 feet west of the Round Tower. This is the spot where, during a drought, an Angel showed Senan where to find water, using a holly branch (or hazel or sometimes elder) as diviner. This was then planted and became a sacred tree.
St. Senan's Well, Scattery
St. Senan's Well, Scattery
St. Senan's Well lies about 70 feet west of the Round Tower. This is the spot where, during a drought, an Angel showed Senan where to find water, using a holly branch (or hazel or sometimes elder) as diviner. This was then planted and became a sacred tree.
St, Senan was born in Corca Baiscinn, Co. Clare in the late 5th Century. His family were farmers but Senan entered the religious life as a young man. He travelled to Rome and Tours in France before returning to Ireland and establishing a church and a monastery in Cork. In about 534, he established himself at Scattery.
According to an old legend, a monster called The Cathach lived on the island. It terrorised anyone who set foot on the island. When Senan arrived on Scattery he went to the highest hill there and looked over the island until he saw the Cathach. He ordered the monster to leave the island. The Cathach obeyed immediately and swam far, far away from the island.
St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
This small building imeediately west of Teampall Senain is known as 'St. Sena's Bed'. It is believed that St. Senan is buried here. Local custom has it that a young women should not enter the building as if they do, they will never marry.
St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
St. Senan's Bed, Scattery Island
This small building imeediately west of Teampall Senain is known as 'St. Sena's Bed'. It is believed that St. Senan is buried here. Local custom has it that a young women should not enter the building as if they do, they will never marry.
Very little is known of Senan's life on Scattery. It is known however, that life in his monastery was very strict. No woman was allowed to live or even set foot on the island. Tradition has it that St. Senan died on March 8, 544. March 8 became an important day of pilgrimage to the island.