De Valera's Visit to Scattery Island 1947

This article, from The Irish Press, featured on Saturday July 12 1947 highlights the visit of the Taoiseach, Eamon De Valera to Scattery Island. You can read the detail in the article following the columns on the right hand side of the images above.

The trip itself was characterised by heavy weather,  as a motorised vessel transported Mr. De Valera to Scattery Island . Local Kilrush dignitaries who played a role in the visit are referred to also. The trip involved lunch in Kilrush at Lynch’s Restaurant, followed by a visit to the Island school, at the time housing 8 desks and 10 pupils. A lecture was given on St. Senan by Seamus McGuane, which was listened to by Mr. De Valera as he sat at one of the desks at the school. The Taoiseach visited all the monastic sites on the Island, guided by John Brennan. He also met Nora Culligan, the National School teacher on Scattery and spoke in Irish to her and some of the Islanders.

It was reported that Mr. De Valera left the Island waving his hand and handkerchief at the Islanders who cheered him off.

He then went on to visit Kilkee, The Irish College in Carrigaholt, and Loop Head. People gathered on the roadside to greet Mr. De Valera on his way to Kilrush.