Fógraíonn an tAire Moran athoscailt Inis Cathaigh do shéasúr turasóireachta 2026

• Fógraíonn an tAire Stáit atá freagrach as Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, Kevin “Boxer” Moran go mbeidh Inis Cathaigh ag athoscailt ar an Déardaoin 21 Bealtaine 2026.
  
• Moltar do chuairteoirí an stair, nádúr agus suaimhneas ar leith a bhaineann leis an oileán seo a bhlaiseadh.

Tá Inis Cathaigh suite dhá chiliméadar ó Chill Rois in Inbhear na Sionainne agus is áit é a bhfuil an-tábhacht spioradálta agus cultúrtha ag baint leis.

Beidh Inis Cathaigh oscailte don phobal ó Bhealtaine go dtí mí Meán Fómhair agus cuirfidh Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí turais threoraithe ar fáil i rith an ama seo. Fágann na báid farantóireachta ó Mhuiríne Chill Rois agus moltar do chuairteoirí an stair, nádúr agus suaimhneas ar leith a bhaineann leis an oileán seo a bhlaiseadh. Cuirfidh treoraithe turais de chuid Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí fáilte roimh na cuairteoirí chuig an oileán. Is féidir ticéid farantóireachta a chur in áirithint ag scatteryislandtours.com.

Dúirt an tAire stáit atá feagrach as Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, Kevin “Boxer” Moran:

“Tá an-lúcháir orm athoscailt Inis Cathaigh a fhógairt do shéasúr an tsamhraidh. Is seoid náisiúnta é Inis Cathaigh ina bhfuil tírdhreach ar leith a fhíonn stair luath-Chríostaí, oidhreacht mhíleata agus saol traidisiúnta an oileáin le chéile. Molaim do gach duine a bhfuil suim acu i stair na hÉireann lá speisialta a phleanáil ar an oileán seo sa samhradh”.

Le déanaí, rinne Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí athchóiriú ar an tsráid ar an oileán Seo an áit a raibh píolótaí Inis Cathaigh agus oifig poist an oileáin lonnaithe tráth, sular tréigeadh an t-oileán go hiomlán i 1978.

Tá os cionn 1,500 bliain de stair ar an oileán, ina measc, lonnaíochtaí mainistreacha agus taobh leo seo tá saol dúchasach an tsráidbhaile le feiceáil. Ghlac Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí cúram an oileáin i 1989 agus cuireann an Oifig turais threoraithe ar fáil agus tá siad freagrach chomh maith as oidhreacht thógtha agus nádúrtha an oileáin a chaomhnú ar bhonn leanúnach.

Is féidir eolas a fháil faoi chath cróga Naomh Seanán i gcoinne na péiste, Cathach, agus an chaoi ar bhunaigh sé mainistir anseo ag tús an chúigiú haois. Faigh eolas maidir leis an stair spéisiúil a bhaineann leis an oileán beag seo ó thús ré na mainistreach suas go dtí an tráth ar mhair an t-oileánach deireanach in Inis Cathaigh.

Pleanáil do Chuairt

Tabhair faoi deara go mbeidh cead isteach chuig an láthair seo ag brath ar an aimsir, cúinsí farraige agus oileáin a bheith feiliúnach.

Tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag heritageireland.ie nó déan teagmháil le Scattery Island Tours i gcomhair áirithintí farantóireachta. Is féidir ceisteanna ó chuairteoirí a sheoladh chuig scatteryisland@opw.ie

Tá urlabhraithe ó Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí ar fáil i gcomhair agallaimh, ar iarratas. Déan teagmháil le pressoffice@opw.ie le do thoil chun breis eolais a fháil agus agallamh a shocrú.

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NÓTAÍ:

Beidh cead isteach chuig an oileán ag brath ar chúinsí aimsire agus taoide a bheith feiliúnach. Glacann an bád farantóireachta thart ar 30 nóiméad an dá threo – bíonn an tráthchlár ag brath ar chúinsí aimsire. Fanann na cuairteoirí ar an oileán thart ar 2.5 uair an chloig. Iarrtar ar chuairteoirí cloí go docht le rabhadh agus treoracha a thugann an fhoireann treoraithe. Moltar do chuairteoirí bróga oiriúnacha (buataisí nó bróga láidre siúil) a chaitheamh mar tá an talamh garbh in áiteanna. Ná fág aon rud i do dhiaidh ar an Oileán, le do thoil, agus tabhair leat abhaile aon bhia nó bruscar atá fágtha.

Déan teagmháil le pressoffice@opw.ie chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil.

Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí (OPW)

Cuireann Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí cóiríocht ar fáil do Sheirbhísí Rialtais agus bainistíonn sí cuid mhór de phunann maoine an Stáit.

Déanann an Oifig cúram do 780 láthair oidhreachta, ina measc, séadchomharthaí náisiúnta, páirceanna stairiúla, gairdíní agus foirgnimh. Is í an Oifig príomhghníomhaireacht innealtóireachta an Rialtais, ag soláthar seirbhís innealtóireachta d’fheidhmeanna Bainistíochta Riosca Tuilte agus Bainistíochta Punann Eastáit de chuid Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí chomh maith le Ranna Rialtais eile.

• · Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran announces Scattery Island will reopen Thursday 21st May 2026.
• · Visitors are encouraged to explore the island’s unique blend of history, nature, and tranquillity.

Located two kilometres from Kilrush in the Shannon Estuary, Scattery Island is a place of remarkable spiritual and cultural importance.

Scattery Island is open to the public from May to September, with guided tours provided by the OPW. Ferry services operate from Kilrush Marina, and visitors are encouraged to explore the island’s unique blend of history, nature, and tranquillity. Upon reaching the island visitors will be welcomed by OPW tour guides. Ferry tickets may be booked through scatteryislandtours.com.

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said:

“I am very pleased to announce the reopening of Scattery Island (Inis Cathaigh) for the summer season. Scattery Island is a national treasure and a unique landscape that weaves together early Christian history, military heritage, and traditional island life. I encourage anyone with an interest in Ireland’s past to plan a unique day out this summer”.

The Office of Public Works recently restored the street on the island, which was once home to the Scattery pilots and the island’s post office, before the island was finally abandoned in 1978.

The island features over 1,500 years of history, from early monastic settlements to vernacular village life. The OPW, which assumed care of the island in 1989, manages seasonal guided tours and is responsible for ongoing conservation of the island’s built and natural heritage.

Learn about St. Senan’s brave battle against the serpent Cathagh and his founding of a monastic settlement dating back to the early fifth century, and discover the fascinating history this little island holds from the early monastic times right through to the last of the islanders who inhabited Scattery.

Plan Your Visit

It should be noted that access to the site is dependent on favourable weather, tides, sea and island conditions.

For further information, visit heritageireland.ie or contact Scattery Island Tours for ferry bookings. Visitor queries can be addressed to scatteryisland@opw.ie

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

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NOTES:

Access to the island is dependent on tidal and weather conditions. Ferry Travel time is around 30 minutes each way – departure times vary depending on weather. Duration on the Island is approx. 2.5 hours. Visitors are asked to adhere strictly to the warnings and instructions issued by guide staff. Suitable footwear (boots or strong walking shoes) is advised as some conditions underfoot are not ideal. Please leave no trace on the Island and bring home any unwanted foodstuffs or rubbish.

For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.