This article is from page 13 of the 2014-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
SCATTERY Island is to celebrate its association with Brian Ború later this month when the tenth century invasion of the monastic settlement by Clare’s high king will be re-enacted as part of a local festival.
The re-enactment of the raid on the island by Brian Ború and his the Dál Cais army is the main event of the upcoming Scattery Island Festival that takes place on July 26 and 27 and is part of the national Brian Boru Programme, which coincides with the millennial anniversary of Ború’s death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
The invasion of Scattery and the subsequent killing of the Viking King of Limerick and his two sons will be recreated – a battle that historians say paved the way from Brian Ború to become High King of Ireland.
“Whatever one’s opinion is of the manner in which the Norse King was slain, it is clear that his death paved the way for Brian to enjoy unchallenged rule over his home Province of Munster,” says historian Dr Catherine Swift, of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
Rita McCarthy of the Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Group said the re-enactment will be the focal point of this year’s festival, the theme of which is ‘Invade Scattery’.
“We are inviting former island inhabitants and anyone with a connection with Scattery or indeed, its rich history to join us on the weekend,” she revealed. “Last year’s inaugural festival, held as part of the Gathering Ireland initiative, proved to be a huge success with more than 5,000 people travelling to the island. This has helped to raise the profile of what has for many years been one of Ireland’s least known monastic settlements.”
Uninhabited since 1979, Scattery Island – also known as Inish Cathaigh – is located approximately one mile from Kilrush in the Shannon Estuary and is home to a monastery founded in the early 6th century by St Senan. The island features the ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland at 120 feet high.
The festival will feature guided walks, lectures, music and song, and marine activities celebrating the island’s association with St Senan, the Vikings, Brian Ború, the Spanish Armada and later as a defence outpost for the British.