Scattery
Island is rich in legend and stories. The old Irish name for Scattery
Island was Inis Cathaigh, after the Cathach or Péist - a legendary
monster who inhabited the island and terrorised people. When St. Senan
arrived on the island the Archangel Michael led him to the highest hill
from which Senan was able to locate the Cathach. Senan faced the monster
and ordered it to depart from the island. In some stories the Cathach
obeyed immediately and 'neither stopped nor stayed' until he reached the
dark waters of Doolough Lake at the foot of Mount Callan. T.J. Westropp
relates how the Cathach devoured St. Senan's smith, Narach, but Senan
brought him forth again alive. The Cathach advanced 'its eyes flashing
flame, with fiery breath, spitting venom and opening its horrible jaws',
but Senan made the sign of the cross, and the beast collapsed and was
chained and thrown into Doolough Lake. The legend is alluded to in the
late eighth century 'Calendar of Oengus' ; 'Senan of Inis Cathaig gibbeted
Naroch's foe.' The Cathach has been described as a nondescript creature
with spiked back, scales, fishtail, nose curling up spirally, and clawed
forefeet.
After Senan had expelled the Cathach, a local chieftain called MacTail, or Mactal, hired a druid to put a spell on the saint. However, as the druid landed on a nearby island, a tidal wave enveloped him and swept him to his death. The island is still pointed out as 'Carraig a Draoi' or The Druid's Rock. It lies between Hog Island and Scattery, and can be seen at low tide.
<< Back to Scattery Island: Folklore and Customs
'PEISTS' Dysert
O'Dea