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Saint Brendan “The Navigator”
Saint Brendan lived from 484 to 577 AD. He was born in Ciarraighe Luachra which is near the port town of Tralee in County Kerry in Southwest Ireland. Saint Brendan is best know for his seven year quest to find the “Isle of the Blessed” or Garden of Eden, with any where from 15 to 150 people. Exact numbers are impossible to ascertain as many texts vary the number. Saint Brendan was said to be 80 years old at the time of the voyage. The voyage was made in vessels constructed from wood and leather. The boat was laid out in a wood frame work and then leather was streached over it. Today, this would seem absurd however, it has been proven that just such a craft could have made it across the Atlantic Ocean. Historians disagree wildly on where this land west of Ireland that Saint Brendan found is actually located. Some say this land was in the Canary Islands, others say an Island west of the Azores, and some say it was America. There are Viking writings that proclaimed a white settlement in America and the Shawnee Indians of Florida tell of a white tribe that used iron tools prior to Columbus.
Some historians believe that Columbus based his historic 1492 voyage inpart on the manuscript "Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis" which told of St. Brendan's journey across the Atlantic Ocean
After his famous voyage, Saint Brendan visited Iona, an Isle off the West coast of Scotland; Wales; England; and of course Ireland. Staint Brendan founded a Monastery at Clonfert, Annaghdown, Ireland, and Inis da druim which is now called Coney Island in Killadysert, County Clare; a Convent at Annaghdown for his sister; and also established Churches at Inchiquin in County Galaway and Inishglora in County Mayo.
Saint Brendan passed away in 577 while visiting his sister in Annaghdown and was buried in Clonfert Cathedral in secret so that his followers would not take his remains. Though gone many, many years, Saint Brendan has left his imprint upon Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.
The old Irish Calanders proclaimed March 22nd as Egressio familiae S. Brendani a special feast in honor of St. Brandan. While the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Brendan’s Feast day on May 16th.
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