School: Burrane, Inis (roll number 13738)
- Location:
- Burrane Upper, Co. Clare
- Teacher: Mícheál Ó Tuama
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0600, Page 035
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- (continued from previous page)This Serpent was so large that it was said that he could put his tail into his mouth after encircling Scattery Island with his body (Scattery Island is about 110 acres in area). The serpent tradition also tells us, was so powerful that he was able to toss huge stones some said to be half-a-ton weight with his tail as far as the present town of Kilrush. When Senan arrived in Scattery Island he approached the Serpent without fear and the latter opened its mouth so widely that Senan could see its entrails. He commanded the Serpent to leave this Island for ever in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. The monster then made a spring and landed in "Gleann-na-phiaste" (valley of the Serpent) making a large hole on the ground where he landed. He then went on by the valley of Clonreddan in the present parish of Couraclare (and which is still associated with this monster) and finally arrived at Doo Lough (Lough Doo a mountainous lake in the present parish of Mullagh) to which lake Senan had directed him to go. He condemned him (serpent) to live there on a trout and a half per day. The amount of food allowed him being totally insufficient the monster wasted away and died.
St Senan's life on Scattery Island was one of rigid mortification, prayer and teaching. The fame of his learning soon attracted scholars from all parts of the country(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Michael Twomey
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Teacher
