Folklore is an important aspect of any aspect and is certainly bound up with the early history of Inniscarra Parish. Much is written down but the truth of the stories will never be uncovered. However, the patron saint of Inniscarra, St. Senan and his reputed church at Inishleena are part of the identity of the area's people and place.

St. Senan was born in Corca Baiscinn, near Kilrush, County Clare about 488. It seems that Senan's family had two farms, one at Moylough and the other at a place called Tracht Termainn. He first tended his father's cattle, then became a soldier and later became a monk. He placed himself under the Abbot Cassidan and took the monastic habit. Cassidan was originally from south-west Cork. Senan then went to the monastery of Kilmanagh (Ossory) to continue his preparations for the religious life. There he was credited with the performance of many miracles. He is next heard of having established a church at Enniscorthy.

The Book of Lismore states that Senan went to Rome and from there to Tours, which was at that time, the great monastic establishment in West Europe. Returning to Ireland, St. Senan established a church and monastery at Inniscarra, in Cork. He then moved back to his native district. He began his work on the islands of Fergus. He later crossed to Mutton Island, then to Bishop's Island, south of Kilkee. Finally, about 534, he established himself at Scattery Island at the mouth of the River Shannon.

Before Senan arrived on Scattery, a legendary monster called "The Cathach" supposedly inhabited the island, terrorising people. On his arrival on the island an Angel led Senan to the highest hill from which he was able to locate the Cathach. He then faced the monster and ordered it, in the name of the Trinity, to depart from the island. The Cathach obeyed immediately.

Scattery Island became not only a famous abbey but the seat of a bishopric with St. Senan as its first bishop. This event may be dated as about the year 535 A.D. or 540 A.D., and St. Senan's jurisdiction extended over the existing Baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw in Thomond, the Barony of Connelo in Limerick, and a small portion of Kerry from the River Feal to the Atlantic. St. Senan is said to have died on the 8th March 544 A.D. He is buried on Scattery Island, probably in Temple Senan. The grave is supposed to be the site of miraculous cures. Stones from St. Senan's Bed were regarded as relics and a protection against diseases and especially drowning. His patron day is on the 8th March.

Inishleena, a reputed early Christian monastic site, was situated on the northern bank of the River Lee, a short distance below the point where it is joined by the Dripsey River, just east of the paper mill complex and on the grounds of Fitzgibbon's House. The site stood on the flood plain of the valley and therefore suffered the ravages of periodic floods. Tradition has it that Inishleena was one of the small monasteries founded by St Senan on his way from Cork by Inniscarra to Scattery Island. It is believed that the stones of the abbey were taken about 1716 and used to build the house at Cronodymore nearby.