Senán mac Geirrcinn

He was a resident of Munster and is important in Irish tradition, as founder of Inis Cathaigh (Scattery Island, Iniscathy) and patron of the Corco Baiscinn and the Uí Fhidgeinte.

According to the prose life, his mother entered labour while walking through the woods; when she grasped a tree branch for support, it is said to have blossomed to foretell the virtues of the saint.

The boy promised his life to God after the miracle at the estuary, where a path opened for him and the cattle he was driving at high tide.

Studying in many monasteries in Ireland, including Glendalough and Kerry, he founded the abbey on Inishmore (or Deer) Island, leaving St Liberius to preside over it.

About 534, he founded a monastery of five churches and a round tower on Inis Cathaigh or Scattery island in the bay on the estuary of the river Shannon just 3 km out from Kilrush.

To stay true to his own edicts, Senan waited until low tide to bury her in the inter-tidal zone, which was not officially the "island", thus fulfilling his sister's wish, while not breaking his own rules.

[1] This legend seems to have been wrongly associated with Conainne as it is identical to that of the more famous St. Cainnear or Cannera of Bantry who was mentioned in the Latin life of St.

[9][10] Perhaps these three female saints were all refused access to Scattery Island at some point by St. Senan but it is more probable that Cainnear's story has been misappropriated.

[12] The Chief Ollam of Ireland Dallán Forgaill was his friend and wrote a eulogy about Senan entitled "Amra Senáin"[13] Legend has it that he slew a huge sea creature that inhabited the island and terrorised the locals.