Brendan

Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert (c. 484 – c. 578) called "the Navigator" or "the Voyager", is one of the early Irish monastic saints whose legends have overshadowed their history. He is chiefly renowned for his semi-legendary quest to the Land of Delight. His feast day is May 16.

Early life

He was born in Ciarraight Luachra, in what is now County Kerry, Ireland, in AD 484. He was baptized at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster", and he completed his studies under Erc, who ordained him priest in 512. Between the years 512 and 530 St. Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Brandon Hill, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church"— also called Baalynevinoorach . It was from here that he set out on his famous seven years voyage for the Land of Delight. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the Egressio familiae S. Brendani, on 22 March; and St Aengus the Culdee, in his Litany composed at the close of the eighth century, invokes "the sixty who accompanied St. Brendan in his quest for the Land of Promise".

Legendary journey

St Brendan is chiefly renowned for this legendary quest. According to the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator, he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixty pilgrims, searching for the Garden of Eden. If it happened, this would have occurred in around 530, before his travel to the island of Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen a blessed island covered with vegetation; convinced that he had seen Paradise, he returned to Ireland. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary St Columba. It is not impossible that Brendan may have encountered North America on his journey(1964, Robert Reily) Irish Saints page:37, Wing Books, New Jersey, isbn 0-517-36833-1, in which case Brendan was one of the first European visitors to the New World. Christopher Columbus relied on the legends told of St Brendan as part of his argument that it was indeed possible to travel to Asia by crossing the Atlantic. Some propose St Brendan as one of the ancient visitors to the Americas. There appear to be similarities with The Voyage of Bran written much earlier.

Effects

Naturally, the story of the seven years voyage was carried about, and soon crowds of pilgrims and students flocked to Ardfert. Thus, in a few years, many religious houses were formed - at Gallerus, Kilmalchedor, Brandon Hill, and the Blasket Islands - in order to meet the wants of those who came for spiritual guidance to St. Brendan.

Further travels

Later, he travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a bishopric at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days. He was recognised as a saint by the Irish church, and his feast day is May 16. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales, and thence to Iona, for his is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytizing in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (Co. Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He founded the bishopric of Annaghdown and established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway, and at Inishglora, County Mayo.

His most celebrated foundation was Clonfert, in 557, over which he appointed St. Moinenn as Prior and Head Master. Brendan was interred in Clonfert, and his feast is kept on 16 May.

Modern re-enactment

In 1976, Irish explorer Tim Severin built an ox leather curragh and over two summers sailed her from Ireland via the Hebrides, Faeroe Islands and Iceland to Newfoundland to demonstrate that the saint's fantastic voyage was physically possible. On his voyage, he encountered various sights such as icebergs and sea animals such as whales and porpoises which appeared to be factual counterparts to the fantastic sights from the legends of Brendan. See The Brendan Voyage, ISBN 0349107076.

Appearances in popular culture

The cream liqueur Saint Brendan's is named after him. Brandania is a Canarian group of Celtic-music players. Their name hints to the Canary Islands as St Brendan's Island.

The Canadian band The Lowest of the Low wrote a song titled "St. Brendan's Way" that appears on their album Shakespeare My Butt

The Irish band Iona made an entire recording inspired by the voyage of Saint Brendan called Beyond These Shores, now available as part of the recording The River Flows.

Jeff Johnson released a recording through Hearts of Space in 1988 called Prayers Of St. Brendan - The Journey Home.

An animated feature film based on the story, called Brendan and the Secret of Kells, is currently being made in Europe. It is due for release in 2007.

Notes

One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo.

References

External links

Catholic Encyclopedia St. Brendan
Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis (Latin)
Faroestamps.fo - Faroese stamp edition (English, German, French, Danish, Faroese)
Brendan's Fabulous Voyage - 1893 lecture by John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, available from Project Gutenberg

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