Scattery-Island-resident-1200x675 Last resident of Scattery Island dies aged 99 — Irene Hamilton, owner of Scattery Island Tours pictured with the late Patricia (Pattie) McMahon. Credit **SIT Facebook**

The last person to live on Scattery Island in the Shannon Estuary has died in Co Clare.

Patricia (Pattie) McMahon, who was 99, had managed the island’s post office and lighthouse before leaving in the mid-1970s. She had been living in Cappa, near Kilrush, the pier village that today serves as the mainland connection to the island.

In a statement, Scattery Island Tours said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Patricia (Patty) McMahon in her 99th year. Patty was the last resident to leave Scattery Island in the mid 1970s and she managed the island’s post office and lighthouse. Her life on Scattery will always be remembered through the stories that we share about the island and its remarkable history. The island will be closed tomorrow as a mark of respect to Patricia and her family.”

Scattery-Island-Kilrush-County-Clare-Ireland.-005-medium-1200x681 Last resident of Scattery Island dies aged 99 — Scattery Island, Kilrush, County Clare. Credit **Visit Clare**

Scattery Island was first inhabited in the early Christian period when St Senan founded a monastery there in the sixth century. It became a major religious centre, home to churches and a round tower, and is associated with legends of the saint banishing a sea serpent.

From the ninth century the island was repeatedly attacked by Vikings, who later settled there. In 977, Brian Ború defeated and killed Ivar of Limerick, the last Norse king of the region, on Scattery. In the medieval period it briefly functioned as a diocese before being absorbed into Killaloe.

Its position at the mouth of the Shannon gave it strategic importance. During the Napoleonic Wars the British built a large artillery battery on the island.

By the 1840s, families of Shannon river pilots had established a village known as “The Street”. They combined farming with piloting ships through the estuary’s strong currents. The community thrived through the 19th century, with the population rising to more than 100, before declining during the 20th century.

The last residents departed in 1978, leaving the island uninhabited. Today it is managed by the Office of Public Works and is noted for its monastic ruins, lighthouse, Napoleonic battery and deserted village.