‘Lawn decorations’ return to Scattery

A PAIR of medieval carvings, which were removed by a sea captain from Scattery Island more than 150 years ago, are to be returned to the island as part of a Gathering events on Sunday, July 7.

Captain Francis Kennedy had taken them to decorate the lawn of his home near Kilkee.

The stone artefacts were found earlier this year when a local family, who had the artefacts in safekeeping for more than 50 years, contacted The Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Group.

Medieval stone carvings expert Jim Higgins, Galway County Council Heritage Officer and Dr Catherine Swift, director of Irish Studies at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, have dated the artefacts to the 12th and early 15th centuries.

Padraig de Barra outlined how the stones came into his family’s safekeeping.

“Since 1948, the Barry family have been living beside St Senan’s Well in Kilfeeragh and my late father, Fred, was the key holder and kept the place in good order. Whilst clearing entanglement of dead briars, I came across two stone carvings and a stone oblong base.

“I mentioned it to my father who enlightened me as to how they had come to be there. Many years before a family living in Cunningham Terrace, Kilkee found them in his lawn. He contacted a renowned local historian, Seamus Moore-Griffin.

“He said that a previous occupant of the house had moved them from Scattery Island to decorate his lawn. This was Captain Francis Kennedy who had died in 1865, aged 66.”

He continued, “Seamus Moore Griffin told the man that the carvings should be returned to Scattery Island but as they had no way of doing this at the time, the stones were placed at St Senan’s well Kilfeeragh, near Kilkee.

“When I found them I placed them at each side of the inner gate of the well. Sometime later, I made a number of visits to Scattery Island with the late Fr Ignatius Murphy and others. The more I learned of the history of Scattery, the more I desired to return the stones. The work of craftsmen of long ago and made for the greater glory of God.

“At that time, Scattery was overgrown and there was no secure place for them and they could easily be taken again, but they could also suffer the same fate where I had them.

“Fr Murphy suggested that I take them home for security and they have been there in ‘hiding’ for 50 years or so,” Mr de Barra added.

Rita McCarthy of the Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Group said, “We are very grateful to Padraig de Barra who, for many years, has held the artefacts for safekeeping.

“The unveiling of these artefacts will be the focal point of the weekend which will feature a range of events promoting one of Ireland’s least known monastic settlements. We are inviting former island inhabitants and anyone with a connection with Scattery or indeed, its rich history to join us on the weekend of July 5-7,” Ms McCarthy added.

The island features the ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland at 120 foot. The Vikings invaded Scattery during the early 9th century but Brian Boru later recaptured the island, which is also known as Inis Cathaigh. Scattery also served as a place of safe harbour for the Spanish Armada and as a defence outpost for the English Government.