The Old Irish name for Scattery Island in the mouth of the Shannon, Co. Clare was ‘Inis Cathaigh’ after the Cathach, a legendary monster said to live here.
When St Senan arrived on the island in the mid sixth century, this creature’s reign of terror would soon be over. It is said an angel led the holy man to the highest point from where he faced down the monster and ordered it to depart in no uncertain terms in the name of the Trinity and it did, never to return.
In some versions of the tale the Cathach obeyed immediately and “neither stopped nor stayed” until it arrived at the gloomy waters of Doolough Lake at the foot of Mount Callan.
The monster was not to be the last unwelcome presence on the island….. A woman had the audacity to come here, ignoring a long-standing prohibition (later still, the Norsemen came). I understand that females are now permitted on the island.
According to the story, St Cannera of Bantry (d. c.530AD) saw a tower of fire pointing heavenwards from the island, a premonition that she would die here. But because no one would take her to this forbidden place, it is said she walked dry-foot over the waters of the Shannon (in some versions she is carried by an angel). She was apparently met on the shoreline by St Senan himself, who reminded her of the prohibition. She retorted that Christ suffered to redeem women no less than men, a riposte that has led some to regard her as a patron saint of feminists.
Persuaded by her argument, though rebuking her for her “stubbornness”, he allowed her to come onto the island. It is said he then administered the Viaticum (the Eucharist given during Last Rites) and St Cannera’s soul was taken immediately up to heaven.
In other versions of the story, she is actually St Senan’s sister. And so as not to break his own strict rules, he waits until low tide to bury her in the littoral zone, which was not technically part of the island. A flag displayed on the strand is thought to mark her final resting place.
For more information on the myths and legends of the island visit these sites:
http://irishislands.info/scattery.html
http://irishislands.info/scattery.html
Aidan of Lindisfarne, the man who led the mission to the pagan English in Northumbria, may have begun his life in this part of Ireland and it is thought he may have served in the monastery, rising to the rank of bishop before travelling to Iona and from thence to Lindisfarne.
Superstitious mariners sailed their craft sun-wise around the island, a custom that may go back to pagan times – though some have suggested it developed as a salute in honour of St Cannera.
Pebbles taken from here were popular talismans against shipwreck, with stones gathered from St Senan’s Bed (pictured below) believed to be particularly efficacious in protecting sailors from drowning and disease. Interestingly, one of the few miracles attributed to Aidan during his time on Lindisfarne involved his prevention of a shipwreck in absentia.
Images, Phil Cope and appearing in John Connell’s pioneering book in the footsteps of Aidan of Lindisfarne.
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