Saint Thomas's Island

Dan McCarthy: Hidden history of St Thomas's Island
 
As the River Shannon spreads its wings and becomes an estuary it scatters several islands along its banks: Sod Island, Waller’s Island, Saint’s Island and several others. There were islands that once existed but no longer do including Dernish and Piggott’s Island. Further upstream there are many islands where the Shannon courses through Lough Derg. In between, the lough and the estuary are several more. The largest of these is St Thomas’s Island where the river turns northwards at Corbally before making a U-turn and heading southwards.
This riverine island is very flat as is to be expected as when a river reaches the sea it deposits its load. It is privately owned and grazed by a rag of colts which imperiously guards the banks. At first sight there is
nothing to behold, but a profusion of dark ivy gives the game away. Buried beneath are the walls of a former residence.
The remains of a salmon weir known as the lax weir stretches from the southern side of the Shannon to the northern bank. It was established by the Danes (lax is old Danish for salmon) before coming under the possession of Norman and then English power. The operation of the weir was discontinued in the 1930s when the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme was established and the company was given the fishery rights. In medieval times it was known as one of the most lucrative salmon fisheries in Europe.
The limestone castle of Caslaunnacorran (Caislean na Coran) marks the western tip, though strictly speaking it is detached from St Thomas’s Island. It was an outpost of the Irish garrison during the siege of Limerick in 1651 when Cromwell’s son-in-law Henry Ireton attacked the city.
The oratory was constructed in the 12th century by Dominican friars after their St Saviour’s Friary on King’s Island was deemed too small. It was dedicated to the giant of medieval intellectual thought, Thomas Aquinas, hence the name. The monks lived in harmony on the island till the 16th century Reformation. Henry VIII deprived the monks of all their possession including the lax (salmon in Danish) weir and lands at Monabraher. The oratory was obliterated and no trace of it remains today.
St Thomas’s Island played an important role in the siege of Limerick in 1691 when the Williamite general Ginkell bombarded the city. St Thomas’s Island was a crucial part of his strategy and his forces stormed across the island and eventually surrounded the city. The Irish army under
Patrick Sarsfield was forced to surrender and the Treaty of Limerick was thus signed. In the course of the siege 200 Protestants, mainly women and children, were brought off the island by the Williamites having been in “great misery” and “starved for want of food”. A differing view held that the prisoners were so well treated that they only reluctantly accepted liberation.
There are the ruins of a second building on the island. A Georgian mansion was
the residence of a milling family called the Russells. This house was later owned by a
J Tuthill. Its 21 acres comprised elegant gardens, villas, a greenhouse, and grazing for cattle. A visitor to Tuthill wrote: “His unaffected politeness made us enjoy our little excursion very much. The view upwards to the enchanting Shannon cannot be excelled. His verdant banks are covered with cattle, adorned by charming villas at intervals.” One of the last occupants of the island was a farmer who was known to
frequent the milk market with more tanks than the milk from his cows could possibly fill. When apprehended by a suspicious constable, the tanks were found to contain poteen.
The heyday of St Thomas’s Island was undoubtedly in the medieval period. Its quotidian life was captured in an evocative poem of the same name by Arthur Lysaght.
Faint comes the slap of water against wood

As black bows hover darkened pools

And peak-capped men ply cobwebs out of boats

An arc of silver breaks the water surface

A monk is silhouetted on the weir

The Old River House at Parteen

The Old River House at Parteen, County Clare is a private family house, with a number of annexes, either offering guests rooms in a home share or the option to book exclusive use of the entire house. Currently, the estate offers accomodation in the main house, known locally by its Old Irish / Viking name of Parteen-a-Lax, but is preparing the annex cottages and buildings for booking, starting in the Spring of 2025.

 

The grounds, comprising of eight acres of gardens, woodland and river bank are being reclaimed from nature after a 25 year lapse in management.

Recent Reviews

  • Fabienne, FRance, October 2024

    Beautiful, historical yet very comfortable and calming place. Mark is a great host. We enjoyed our stay a lot.

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  • Anna, Ireland, November 2024

    The house was very warm and cozy. Lovely historical house. Felt at home. Lovely owner with an even nicer dog !

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  • Alexandra, October 2024

    Gorgeous house, amazing host, beautiful view The house and the surounding area is absolutely beautiful, full of history. The host is the absolute best, he gave us itineraries for day trips and was at our service whenever we needed, just an absolute...

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  • Finbar, October 2024

    Cant wait to go back! A Memorable Stay with an Exceptional Host! We had a wonderful time staying at Mark’s place while attending a wedding in Limerick. From the moment we arrived, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the building. Mark welcomed us...

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  • Peter, Ireland, November 2024

    Mark was a great host, lovely location, great company, it is an old house, so it needs some work, but very enjoyable stay, the 2 dogs were the highlight for my daughter.

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