Much has been written in recent times on the life of St. Senan. His name and influence is a source of much devotion and affection as he is hailed the Patron saint of Corca Baiscinn (West Clare). To recap briefly – Senan was born of noble parents in Molougha in the present parish of Killimer. He received his early education from a monk named Cassidus out near Loop Head, then went on to Kilnamanagh in Ossory where it is believed he was ordained a priest. The difficulties of travel at that time did not prevent Senan from setting out on a journey to Rome where tradition has it, he was consecrated a bishop. Returning to Ireland, we find him establishing a settlement at Inniscarra in Cork. His name is also associated with places in Wexford and southeast Clare. Back in his native territory, he founded churches on (what are now known as) Mutton Island and Bishop’s Island which were probably at that time connected to the mainland.
In a valley and directly opposite Bansha School, is an old graveyard named Kiltenane - the church of Senan. No ruins are visible today. However, there is a holy well dedicated to Senan. A few hundred yards south of the present Bansha School, is a place today, we call St. Senan’s Altar. When Senan reached the hilltop he stood to admire the surrounding countryside for miles around and looking southward, he noted an island in the Shannon Estuary. A thought struck him “what an ideal place for a settlement.” Then suddenly, a fierce wind enveloped him and looking up he saw an angel descending from the clouds and handing him a bell. According to tradition, Senan was then miraculously lifted on a flag and transported to the island. There, he built his final settlement, which was renowned as a famous monastery and a seat of learning for many centuries. In due course, Senan returned to the hill top where in thanksgiving he built a large mound on which he placed an altar. Around the same time, a nunnery was founded in Cill na gCailleach, on the western shore of Poulnasherry Bay. On a visit there, Senan took ill and died in approximately 544. His final resting-place is known as Leaba Sheanáin on Inis Cathaigh (Scattery Island). His feast day is the 8th of March.
About 1970, local man Michael Haugh erected a plaque on the site to commemorate Mass being said there in penal times. This interested passers-by and locals that this was a holy place and in 1990 a local committee (under the direction of the then P.P., Rev. P. Lynch) was organised to reconstruct the mound. An excavation was carried out by two archaeologists from the Office of Public Works but nothing of importance was found. Progress was slow for a while until 1993 when funding was obtained from Rural Resource Development Ltd. (E.U. Leader) and from local sponsors. The services of architect John Saunders were obtained and a plan was drawn up. Small portions of land were obtained from two local farmers and with many hours of skilled and voluntary labour, completion was in sight by mid-1995.
Monsignor John O’Shea from Tullaher and currently working in Perth, donated a bronze statue of St Senan which, was cast there and transported all the way from Australia. Directly across the road, three stone plaques depicting the story of St. Senan were erected – (1) St. Senan receiving the bell in the clouds, (2) Senan building an altar in thanksgiving and (3) Senan as Bishop of Inis Cathaigh and patron of Corca Baiscinn.
On the 26th July 1995, Bishop Willie Walsh with about twenty local and visiting priests concelebrated Mass and officially blessed and rededicated the site in the presence of nearly a thousand worshippers from all over West Clare and beyond. Every year since, there are two annual celebrations. On the 8th of March or on a date convenient thereto, the pupils of Bansha School together with their teachers and parents go in procession to the St. Senan’s Alyar where there are scripture readings, prayers and hymns led by local P.P., Fr. J. Haugh. In the last week of July, local priests concelebrate the annual Mass. Sometimes there is a guest preacher.
In the 1990’s the TSB Bank in conjunction with The Clare Champion held an annual award for community efforts. In 1997, St. Senan’s Altar committee entered the competition and was placed joint first. The financial award enabled the committee to apply to Clare Co. Council for public lighting and at Easter 1998 the lighting was switched on.
The shrine is now an important landmark in the area and is a place of pilgrimage for many. As well as commemorating the life and times of Senan of Corca Baiscinn, it is also an important symbol of shared history, faith and community. While it has a broad appeal for the people of West Clare, it has particularly so for all those families that generation after generation passed it by on the way to and from Bansha School.□