Scattery Island
Scattery Island
A quick 20 minute ferry journey will bring you across the Shannon estuary from Tarbert to Killamer. Once you reach the coast of Clare, a short scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way will bring you to Kilrush pier where you can board the designated passenger ferry to the monastic Island of Scattery. Named after the mythical monster on the Island, Scattery is the location of the 6th century monastic settlement founded by St Senan. This gateway to the past is located just off Kilrush in Co. Clare, and was recently awarded The European Destination of Excellence. Scattery is an island steeped in history and has had a long and turbulent story, but despite vicious attacks by viking raiders over the centuries visitors to the island are still treated to a wealth of historic sites, which includes five churches, a cathedral, an incredible round tower, Napoleonic War Artillery Battery and a working lighthouse. Today the island is completely uninhabited, but you can still explore its ancient historic sites and experience its incredible beauty in total tranquillity by taking this trip back in time along the Wild Atlantic Way. After the last of the islanders who were river pilots and expert currach handlers left Scattery in the 1970’s, a series of wealthy investors began purchasing land on the island with plans to turn Scattery Island into a private leisure resort. However, the Irish Government intervened and purchased almost all of the land on Scattery, and today the island is owned by the Irish state, which maintains the archaeological and historical monuments and has developed the island as a heritage site. One of the old island cottage dwellings has been restored and developed into a visitor centre that houses an exhibition where people can learn about the island’s rich history.