Scattery Island Visitor Centre

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Scattery Island Visitor Centre

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Welcome to the official page for Scattery Island Centre an OPW managed site. Senan who was born locally. Senan. Senan's Feast Day on 8th March. St.

Located approximately one mile off Kilrush, Scattery Island is home to a monastic settlement founded in the early 6th century by St. 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. Scattery has had many invasions down through the centuries; the Vikings invaded during the early 9th century but Brian Boru later recaptured the island. It is believed that Scattery is a derivation of the Norse word for treasure, which is Scatty. The main church on the island is Teampall Naomh Mhuire (Cathedral of Saint Mary), situated next to the round tower. Scattery for a time in the 12th century administered to a diocese. 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. The holy well, called Tobar Sinean, beside the round tower was of great reverence and respect by the islanders. It was also associated with a pattern held on 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.

24/09/2026

End of 2026 Season
The OPW guide team at Scattery Island would like to thank very much all visitors who travelled to Scattery island during the 2026 season, thanks also to NPWS Wardens Carles and Oisin for their presence during the season .
Thanks to Marina for keeping all our facilities in such pristine condition and Irene and all the team at www.scatteryislandtours.com for making 2026 such a memorable season.
We now look forward very much to the 2027 season.
For all out of season enquiries please send an email to [email protected]
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare
Ennis Friary
OPW - Office of Public Works
What's On in County Clare - Local Events

03/09/2026

*** Cancelled ***
🎶 Culture Night on Scattery Island
Did you ever wonder what it was like to live in the sixth century? Ever wonder what it was like to be an Irish missionary at that time? Ever wonder what an interview with a Saint would be like? Then wonder no more…… Join us at CBS (Corca Baiscinn Studios) in downtown Inis Cathaigh (Scattery Island) on Friday September 18th 2026 at 4.00pm to be part of our studio audience for the latest episode of “Past in the Present” documentary series. Our presenter Conor Fitzmaurice will be interviewing St. Senan of Molougha about his life and travels. Music on the day will be by the resident house band “The Scattery Islanders”
Please note ferry departs from Kilrush marina at 3pm and ferry charge applies, For bookings please see www.scatteryislandtours.com or phone 085-2505514
Ennis Friary
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare

Scattery Island Tours

26/08/2026

Heritage Week in County Clare
Ennis Friary
OPW - Office of Public Works
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare

22/08/2026

Our final Heritage Week event takes place today when
Former Scattery Island guide, storyteller and crafter Ruth Marshall will show us the route from raw fleece to fine yarn and will be happy to tell us about the plants-roots , leaves and flowers that she uses to produce beautiful natural dye colours.

She might even tell a yarn or two ...remember that one about the princess who fell asleep for 100 years when she pricked her finger on a spindle.

This event will take place in the recently renovated Brennan Cottage in the village street on Scattery Island.

This event takes place in conjunction with the island tour of Saint Senan's 6th century monastic settlement given by the OPW guides.

Please note this trip is 3 hours duration on Scattery Island and ferry boat charge applies.
Ennis Friary
OPW - Office of Public Works
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare
Scattery Island Tours
Scattery Island Heritage and Development
What's On in County Clare - Local Events

20/08/2026

Experience the magic of Scattery Island during Heritage Week!

Join Kilkee's Michele Da Ros for a fascinating live demonstration of eco-friendly soap making using locally harvested Scattery Island seaweed this saturday August 22nd.

Discover the secrets of this sustainable craft, celebrate the island's natural heritage and see how nature can be transformed into something truly special. Don't miss this unique Heritage week experience. Please note this event takes place in conjunction with the island tour of Saint Senan's 6th century monastic settlement given by our knowledgeable OPW guides.

Please note Ferry boat fee applies and ferries depart at 10am with 3 hours duration on island and 1pm with 2.5 hours duration on island.
Ennis Friary
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare
OPW - Office of Public Works
Scattery Island Heritage and Development
Scattery Island Tours
Clare County Council

17/08/2026

Heritage Week continues on Scattery Island with Lightouse Talk

Join our OPW Guide Morgan Roughan on August 20th for a special guided tour on the rich maritime heritage of Scattery Island. Learn of the development of the lighthouse from iron to stone and from a lantern to solar power.
View the 19th century, French manufactured lamp, now on display in the Visitor Centre.

Hear of the lives of the Scattery Island pilots and their families.
This tour will leave from the pier, visit the village street where the pilots lived and walk out to the lighthouse.
*Please note this tour is to the exterior of the lighthouse only, the lighthouse is in the care of the Shannon Foynes Port Company.

This talk takes place in conjunction with the island tour of Saint Senan's 6th century monastic settlement given by the OPW guides.
Please note Ferry boat fee applies. Ferry departs at 2.30pm with 3 hours duration on Scattery island. It is aproximately a 20 minute walk to Lighthouse and strong footwear is advised.
For Bookings please see www.scatteryislandtours.com or phone 085-2505514

OPW - Office of Public Works
Heritage Ireland
Visit Clare
Clare County Council
Ennis Friary
Kilrush and District Historical Society

12/08/2026

Heritage Week on Scattery Island and for bookings please contact www.scatteryislandtours.com or phone 085-2505514

28/07/2026

Our hen harriers have successfully fledged and have flown from the nests and our path up to Ard na nAingel is now open.
We welcome Visitors to enjoy the tranquility of Scattery Island, take part in the guided tour,
walk the island and observe the nature. Our wildlife is varied, from the bird species to be
seen, rabbits and small mammals, also our pretty butterflies fluttering through the untouched
vegetation, feeding off nectar and even ripe blackberries. The island& #39;s quiet, relaxed
atmosphere is second to none. Observe the coastal and salt marsh habitats as you wander at
your leisure. Spot shoals of Mullet and young Sea Bass in the shallows. Sit patiently to watch
the Grey Heron and Little Egrets hunting along the waters edge. Try to distinguish the
different types of Seaweeds growing attached to the rocks and find some Green Shore Crabs
and Perriwinkles hidding beneath the algae. If luck is on your side, The Shannon Dolphins
may make an appearance just offshore or a Grey Seal might be observed basking in the sun
on the strand. Enjoy our beautiful island.
And for more details on the birds of the Shannon Estuary that you might see en route to the island
see the following link:
Birds of the Shannon Estuary Online Story Map: arcg.is/0Hjz9z1
The Birds of the Shannon Estuary Story Map is an initiative supported by the Biodiversity Officers of
Clare, Limerick and Kerry. The initiative was funded by the Local Authorities of Clare, Limerick and
Kerry and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (NPWS).

Ennis Friary OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Visit Clare Kilrush and District Historical Society Kilrush Marina Kilrush Community

25/07/2026

It was wonderful to welcome Minister Boxer Moran and Minister Christopher O' Sullivan to Scattery Island this week as they launched the Hen Harrier strategy programme for Scattery Island and to see the rare birds of prey flying was a treat enjoyed by all visitors on the day.

17/07/2026

Two white flashes every eight seconds.

From the 17th century a light on Scattery Island has guided mariners seeking safe anchorage into the ‘Scattery Roads’ and into the safe channels upriver to the ports of Foynes and Limerick. From the mid 19th century, river pilots based on Scattery Island have boarded vessels to guide them safely upriver.

Vikings, global traders, the Spanish Armada and the British military are all part of the maritime story of Scattery Island due to its significant location in the mouth of the Shannon estuary.

Join us on Saturday July 25th for a special guided tour on the rich maritime heritage of Scattery Island. Learn of the development of the lighthouse from iron to stone and from a lantern to solar power.

View the 19th century, French manufactured lamp, now on display in the Visitor Centre.

Hear of the lives of the Scattery Island pilots and their families.

This tour will leave from the pier, visit the village street where the pilots lived and walk out to the lighthouse.

*Please note this tour is to the exterior of the lighthouse only, the lighthouse is in the care of the Shannon Foynes Port Company.
Please note this event takes place on July 25th on Scattery Island with ferry departing Kilrush Marina V15 AD62 at 10.30am and for bookings please see www.scatteryislandtours.com or phone 0852505514

Address

Kilrush
Clare
CLARE

Telephone

087-9958427

Website

https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/scattery-island-centre/

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