In the Irish Calendar of the Four Masters the name of this parish is written Cill Rois under the 28th of January, and the church is placed in the Termon of Iniscathy. The word “Ross” here means wood, without question. Nothing remarkable is found as having belonged to the old church of Kilrush. In the townland of Breaghva, in the parish, is a burial place called Kilkeevan, in which there anciently stood a little church dedicated to St. Caomhan of the great island of Arran, but no vestige of it now remains. A little way on the east side of Kilrush stood a church, shown on the Down survey and called Kilcarroll, with a holy well adjoining dedicated to Cearbhall. Who this saint was cannot be discovered, no such name appearing in the Irish Calendars. At Moylougha, about four miles from Kilrush, are two old churches dedicated to St. Senán, the one a small Damliag, and the other an oratory of remarkably small dimensions, called Seipeal-beg-Senain. Moylougha was the birthplace of that holy man. The extensive burial ground of Shankill, near Kilrush, contains the remains of a church.
Iniscathy. (Scattery Island.) In this parish is included the island of Iniscathy, celebrated for the number of its churches erected in honour of St. Senán and of other saints, as well as for its beautiful round tower. It is situate in the Shannon, about two miles from the shore, near Kilrush. The island was selected by St. Senán for his principal place of residence, and for several centuries it continued to be a seate of religion.
When Iniscathy was originally created a diocese it embraced in its episcopal jurisdiction the existing baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw in Thomond; the barony of Connello, in Limerick; and that part of Kerry bordering on the Shannon from the Feal to the Atlantic. In 1188, the diocese was divided between those of Limerick, Killaloe, and Ardfert, the island itself being united to the See of Killaloe.
St. Senán was born at Mollougha, near Kilrush, about the yeare 488. His family was noble, his father being Ercan, descended from Conaire I., monarch of Ireland. St. Patrick being at Cruach Phaudrig on the Limerick side of the Shannon in 488, is said to have foretold his birth and future greatness. After leaving St. Nal’s monastery he is reported to have visited Tours, Rome, etc., and on his way home to have spent some time with St. David, bishop of Menevia, in Wales. The first religious establishment founded by him was at Iniscarra, five miles from the city of Cork. Leaving eight of his disciples at that place, he departed for Inisluinge, and there erected a church and gave the veil to some daughters of Brendan, ruler of Uí Figinte (Kenry barony). Then, setting out by water for Inismore (Deer Island), in the river Fergus, he was driven by adverse winds to an island called Inistuaiscert, now believed to be Low Island, in the same river. There he founded a church. Departing from that place he reached Inismore, and there established a monastery. Quitting that locality, he proceeded to Mutton Island (Iniscaorach), in the Atlantic, near Miltown Malbay, and upon it built an oratory, some remains of which still exist. Finally, about the yeare 540, he is found settled at Iniscathy and establishing there a religious house, one of the rules of which was, that no woman should set foot upon the island. He died in 544, and was buried in his abbey church, where a fine monument was erected to his memory. His festival is observed on the 1st and 8th of March. His bell is described by St. Odran in his Irish Life of St. Senán.
It properly belonged to the ancient church called Ceill Senain situate in the townland of Fuidismaigh, at the north-west of the town of Kilrush. It was anciently known as Clog-na-neal, because it was supposed to have descended from the clouds, but subsequently it was called Clog-an-oir, because of its resemblance to gold in its colour. For centuries it was preserved in the west of Clare, and it is now in the possession of Mr. Marcus Keane of Beechpark, near Ennis. The old life, written by St. Odran, refers to the round tower of Scattery Island in such terms as leaves no doubt of its origin and use. It is to be regretted that the passage did not meet the eye of Dr. Petrie, as it would tend to sustain his views as to the uses made of the Irish round towers. It is as follows, as translated by Professor O’Looney, in a note at foot of the article Iniscathy, in Archdall’s Monasticon Hibernicum: “St. Senán built seven churches or religious houses in Iniscathy. He had sixty friars in one church, and thirty priests together with seven bishops in another. He also erected a clogás (belfry) in Iniscathy, which was one hundred and fifteen feet high, and a bell being placed in it near the top, its sound was heard over all Corcabaskin, so that sacrifice could be made in every church of that territory at the very time when Senán and his disciples were engaged in offering it at Iniscathy.” St. Odran was the immediate successor of St. Senán in the office of bishop.
A short way to the east side of the round tower stands the Damhliag or cathedral. Part of the building, as it existed about the time of the founder, remains. Its door on the west end and a small portion of the wall appear to be the only parts of it which shows signs of great antiquity. The door is an excellent specimen of the Cyclopean style of masonry, and tapers a little on the jambs, as is usual in early Christian architecture. For ten feet from the ground the western wall likewise appears to be part of the building as originally constructed, but thence upwards the work is of comparatively recent masonry. Several of the other churches on the island show that they were repaired by building upon the lower parts of the walls of the primitive erections. About three hundred yards to the south-west of the round tower is a hill called Ard-na-nangeal, that is the Hill of the Angels, upon which a ruined church stands, called after the name of the hill. A little farther still towards the south is Teampull-na-marbh, so designated because it is the only burial place on the island, but this could not have been the original name of the church. The remains of a castle, consisting of the vaults only, are seen on Scattery Island. In 1580 it was the property of Charles Cahane (Keane), Coarb of St. Senán. The date of its erection is ascertained from an Inquisition held in the 18th yeare of the reign of Elizabeth, which states that the Coarb “hath in his possession a new castle partly builded, a small stone house, and three cottages: annual value, 10s. 8d.” A little on the west side of the southern point of the island called Rinn Eanaigh, is found a flag, said to be that on which St. Conaire sailed over from Kerry in her unsuccessful attempt to land upon Iniscathy. In the field at the west side of the Damliag is a flag with an ancient cross inscribed, and the following epitaph: “OR DO MOINACH—OR DO MOENACH—AITE MOGROIN.” (Pray for Moinach: Pray for Moenach, tutor of Mogrón).
An Inquisition taken on the 27th of October 1604, sets forth that Senán M‘Girrigine, formerly bishop of Iniscathy, was seized in fee of sixteen quarters of land, three of these lying in Killtylline, in the barony of Clonderalaw; three in Beallantallinge, in the barony of Moyarta; four called Kilrush; one named Kilnagalleagh and Moyasta, in Kilfearagh parish; and another called Kilcredaun. These sixteen quarters were called Termon Senain, and were enjoyed by the successive bishops and canons of Iniscathy while in the service of God and in the administration of holy things. The Inquisition goes on to say that Maurice, then bishop of Killaloe, with the assent of his dean and chapter, granted by deed to John O’Gegynn, of Beallatallinge, the said three quarters in Beallatallinge, for sixty years; that with the like assent, he granted by deed for one hundred years, to Teige MacGilsenán, the three quarters called Kiltelan, the said Teige being then Prior of Iniscathy. The Bishop further granted to Nicholas Cahane (Keane), the four quarters of Kilrush, the said Nicholas being called, as were his ancestors, Coarbs of Termon Senain, that is overseers and keepers of the four quarters of Kilrush. The said lands were forfeited to the king as having been granted in mortmain without licence.
The Castle of Ballyket, which in 1580 belonged to James Cahane (Keane), was situated in the parish of Kilrush.
Kilballyowen Parish No patron saint of this parish is remembered. It takes its name from the site of the church standing in the townland of that name. The building is in good preservation. Another ruined church is in the parish, that of Ross, called the “Church of the Nine Saints.” At a little distance is what is called by the people the grave of the nine saints. Two graveyards, not much used, exist in the parish, one at Kilbaha, and the other at Kilcloher. The well-known headland of Loop Head belongs to Kiballyowen. Its name is derived from a story of Cuchullaun, the chief of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster, who, at one time, had a mistress whom he wished to abandon. He fled from her in the night, and came all the way to this promontory. On looking round, he saw her coming towards him, and he jumped from the mainland to the little island adjoining, a distance of fifty-two feet. Thence the place was designated Leam Cuchullain, Leam Chonn, Leap Head, and finally corrupted into Loop Head. Nearer by a mile than Loop Head are the remains of two ancient cahers called Cahercrochan and Cahersall built of stones, and a lios named Dun Daithlionn, of earth. Two holy wells exist in the parish, Tobar Cuain at Kiltrellig, and Tobar Senán at Kilcloher. The site of the ruined castle of Cloghaunsavaun, belonging in 1580 to Turlogh MacMahon of Carrigaholt, is situate in this parish.
The History and Topography of the County of Clare by James Frost Part I. Topography of Thomond Chapter 6. West Corcabaskin Kilrush parish; Scattery Island; Sketch of the Life of St. Senan; Reference made to Iniscathy by the Four Masters, and by other writers; Ancient Mortgages of lands situate in Kilrush parish