THE intriguing history of Scattery Island and Kililmer – Tarbert, can be appreciated in a new photographic exhibition launched at the University of Limerick by UL president, Professor Don Barry.
The exhibition entitled ‘Inhabiting the Shannon Estuary: Scattery Island and Kilimer-Tarbert’ was developed from the activities of the Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Forum which ran and won the ‘Community Gathering of the Year’ award from Chambers Ireland for their Island Gathering in July 2013.
From left:
Richard Glynn, who compiled the Killimer-Tarbert Ferry Company exhibition; Cllr Kathleen Leddin, Mayor of Limerick; Professor Don Barry, UL President; Rita McCarthy, chairperson of the Scattery Island Heritage Forum and Cllr John Egan, leas-chathaoirleach of Limerick County Council. pictured at the launch of a photographic exhibition celebrating thehistory of Scattery Island and Kililmer – Tarbert, at the University of Limerick. Photograph by Don Moloney / Press 22
The Scattery Island exhibition was pieced together by the voluntary group whose long term aim is to preserve the physical and built environment on the island, working with the Office of Public Works and Clare County Council. The photographs are drawn from the Limerick City Museum Collection, the National Monuments Service, the Lawrence Collection in the National Library of Ireland and personal perspectives provided by the Forum members.
Professor Barry said, “The exhibition illustrates the rich history of the island from its establishment as a monastic settlement founded in the early 6th century by St Senan and includes photographs of the ruins of the six churches and the round tower.”
Professor Bernadette Whelan, head of the History Department at UL said, “We can see the continuity of settlement in the exhibition – Scattery Island had its own people – the islanders from the monks, to the fishermen, the farmers, the river pilots, the teachers, men, women and children lived there until the late 1970s. We can see what some people looked like, how they dressed – there is a predominance of the knitted jackets and pants, some of the children in the way of the time were barefoot, women wore shawls, men engaged in fisheries including exporting lobsters,” said Dr Whelan.
The exhibition is free to view in UL’s Glucksman Library until March 25.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.