Navigating 6th century waters with St. Brendan

Written by Ben Kesp. 

St. Brendan

“The Navigator”, “The Voyager” or “The Bold”, some of the names used to describe a 6th century Irish monk who explored and discovered far oceans and lands away from his home shores in Ireland. 

Saint Brendan (b. 484 – d. 577) was Born in Co. Kerry and educated under Stain Ita for five years. He went on to become one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland (Erin) who were 6th century monks who studied under Saint Fenian of Clonard Abbey on the river Boyne in Co. Meath. Old druidic customs were incorporated into the new Christian religion, and the study of Latin and theology were a major part of studies. Thousands of scholars studied at Clonard Abbey including students from Europe. 

Following his studies Saint Brendan sailed around the Island of Ireland establishing monasteries. Clonfert monastery in Co. Galway was his most notable, established in the year 557 and continued into the 17th Century. His travels brought him to Brittany off the coast of France. His voyages have been colourful with many interesting visits to strange and mysterious islands. One of his legendary voyages was to the Isle of the Blessed (or St. Brendan’s Island), described in 9th Century writings. This was an island lush with vegetation and later it was suggested that the island he had encountered was the mysterious island of Hy-Brasil that existed off the south coast of Ireland, but between the 17th and 18th Centuries, vanished and sunk beneath the seas. 

Nonetheless, one has to ask, was Saint Brendan the first person to reach the Americas? History has not recorded that he has, however the voyages of St. Brendan have been documented recording his detailed accounts of his discoveries. The oldest surviving version of The Voyage of St. Brendan dates to the year 900, and there are many manuscripts of the story in different translations across Europe. Some historians agree that the places he describes could be America, while others believe it to be Greenland. 

Replica of St. Brendan's Boat 

Today you can see a replica of his boat in a glass pyramid in Craggaunowen, Co. Clare, Ireland, a park showcasing what life was like in Ireland in pre-historic times. Where ever St. Brendan’s travels had taken him, his quest for knowledge and his curiosity for exploration have left us with remarkable stories. 

Image: St. Brendan from Wikipedia