Clare County Council has confirmed it has submitted an application for funding under the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) initiative to develop the tourism potential of Scattery Island.
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 ft. high.
The funding application by the Economic Development and Rural Development sections of Clare County Council coincides with the OPW’s appointment of Conservation Architects, to undertake a Conservation and Management Plan relating to the island.
It is anticipated that a new ferry provider will also be formally appointed shortly to provide a service from Kilrush Marina during the summer months. Meanwhile, the OPW’s new exhibition of Scattery Island is approaching completion and a “fresh” exhibition will be in place for the start of the 2017 tourist season.
Clare County Council has confirmed that Elected Members and the local community will be consulted as the preparation of a Conservation and Management Plan by the appointed Conservation Architects progresses in the coming weeks.