St. Senan's Well
lies about 70 feet west of the Round Tower. This is the spot where,
during a drought, an Angel showed Senan where to find water, using a
holly branch (or hazel or sometimes elder) as diviner. This was then
planted and became a sacred tree. George Harratt, in his book on Scattery
Island, writes 'The Angel directed Senan to a spot where, rooting the
ground with his staff, the well sprang forth. Senan set down his staff
by the well and a hazel tree grew from the staff.' A leaf from this
tree was believed to have protective powers.
The people of Scattery never entered a graveyard except for a funeral
or month's mind. It was also thought that bodies buried at Shanakyle
on the mainland during bad weather would be miraculously removed to
Scattery's holy soil from where it was easier to enter Heaven.
Praying at St. Senan's Well, 1939
Fr. Browne Collection
