in the 13th century, a chapel was established, which had links to iona. this monastery was probably at cladh na beide in the north east. the monks were responsible for maintaining a light on nearby shillay to warn ships. ceann ear was also known as "heisgeir nan cailleach" ("heisker of the nuns") due to a nunnery which may have been established in the 13th century. ("cailleach" is usually translated as "old woman", but originally meant a nun.)