Vikings come in peace to Scattery

ALMOST 12 centuries since the Vikings invaded Scattery Island in 816, a committee has been established in Kilrush to examine how best to commemorate the anniversary in 2016.
Many monks were killed in the raid 1,200 years ago, while the Vikings returned on another raid, 19 years later in 835.
The committee, headed by Randal B Counihan, is exploring the possibility of establishing a more peaceable link between the island on the Shannon Estuary and a region in Norway.
“Plans are at an early stage but it is proposed that an association would be created with an area in South-West Norway and a sponsored international yacht race would take place between Norway and the Shannon Estuary, while a variety of sporting, cultural, social and educational events would take place in the area, in tandem with the race,” Cyril Feeney, Clare County Council, revealed at this month’s Kilrush Electoral Area meeting.
“An event such as this would have the potential to significantly raise the profile of Scattery Island and perhaps provide an opportunity to further develop the tourism development of the area,” Mr Feeney added.
Scattery Island is located one mile off Kilrush and is home to a monastic settlement, founded by St Senan in the sixth century.
By 954, the Vikings of Limerick had established a community on the island, which lived peacefully alongside the monks. In 974, the king-chieftain Magnus plundered Scattery and captured Imar, one of the Vikings who had settled on Scattery after being driven out of Limerick in 968.
Scattery has also served as a place of safe harbour for the Spanish Armada and as a defence outpost for the British government. The island, which is under the control of the Office of Public Works, has been uninhabited since 1978.
Councillor Gabriel Keating encouraged the marketing of the island as a tourist destination at the recent meeting.
“What I had in mind was that we would promote boat trips and we would promote Scattery Island in general. Not alone is it an attraction for tourists, it’s attractive for the locals too. You can take your boat trip out there and have your picnic. There’s great history there,” he commented.
“The Office of Pubic Works (OPW) haven’t been found wanting and they have two tour guides employed for the summer months. I think if you take Loop Head, Glasheen Beach and Scattery Island, these are all attractions for local people as well as tourists. We as councillors should promote them and ensure that we get as many tourists as possible to come there,” he added.
Councillor Christy Curtin said a recent visit to Scattery Island by the local area councillors was a historic one.
“We were the first group, I think, of public representatives to visit Scattery Island. It’s a fantastic monastic settlement and it’s adding to the atlas of what we have in West Clare,” he said.