scattery churches and round tower

St. Senan, who died in 544, founded his monastery here in the first half of the 6th century. One of his pupils was St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. The monastery was ravaged by the Vikings in 816 and again in 835, and was probably even occupied by them from 972 to 975, but was recaptured by Brian Boru. The most conspicuous part of the old monastery is the Round Tower, 120 feet high, which is unusual in that the door is at ground level.

Just to the east of the tower is the Cathedral, a church with antae and with lintelled doorway; it was altered in the 13th or 14th century when the south and east windows were inserted. To the north is a Romanesque nave-and-chancel church of the 12th century. On a ridge north of the main group of buildings is Temple Senan, containing medieval work of no great interest. It houses an old grave slab, asking for a prayer for Moinach. South-west of the Round Tower is the Church of the Hill of the Angel where St. Senan is alleged to have been placed by an angel before he defeated the horrible monster Cata; the church is early, but much ruined and a medieval building was added to it.