Brendan 319769 225485742 2008-07-13T23:06:05Z Caul Donnalba 6694020 {{Infobox Saint |name=Saint Brendan of Clonfert |birth_date=c. [[484]] |death_date=c. [[577]] |feast_day=[[May 16]] (Roman Catholic Church), [[January 15]] (Eastern Orthodox Church) |venerated_in=[[Roman Catholic Church]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Anglican Communion]] |image=Saint brendan german manuscript.jpg |imagesize=200px |caption='''St Brendan and the whale''' from a 15th century manuscript |birth_place=[[Fenit|Ciarraighe Luachra]] near [[Tralee]], [[County Kerry]], [[Munster]], [[Ireland]] |death_place=Anach Cuain ([[Galway City|Annaghdown]]), [[County Galway]], [[Connacht]], Ireland |titles=Abbot |beatified_date= |beatified_place= |beatified_by= |canonized_date= |canonized_place= |canonized_by= |attributes=[[Abbot]]; whale; [[priest]] celebrating [[Mass]] on board ship while fish gather to listen; one of a group of monks in a small boat<ref>http://saints.sqpn.com/saintb21.htm</ref> |patronage=boatmen; mariners; sailors; travellers; whales; diocese of Clonfert; diocese of Kerry<ref>http://saints.sqpn.com/saintb21.htm</ref> |major_shrine=[[Clonfert]] |suppressed_date= |issues= |prayer= |prayer_attrib= }} {{Otheruses4|Saint Brendan of Clonfert|other uses|Brendan (disambiguation)}} '''Saint Brendan of Clonfert''' or '''Bréanainn of Clonfert''' (c. [[484 in Ireland|484]] &ndash; c. [[577 in Ireland|577]]) called "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" is one of the early [[Celtic Christianity|Irish monastic]] [[saint]]s whose [[legend]]s reflect their [[history]]. He is chiefly renowned for his semi-legendary quest to [[Paradise|the Isle of the Blessed]]. The ''Voyage of St. Brendan'' could be called an ''[[immram]]'' (Irish voyage story). He was one of the [[Twelve Apostles of Ireland]].<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm The Twelve Apostles of Erin]</ref> Saint Brendan's [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[May 16]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and within the [[Anglican Communion]], and on [[January 15]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. ==Early life== In 484 Saint Brendan was born in [[Fenit|Ciarraighe Luachra]] near the port of [[Tralee]], in [[County Kerry]], in the province of [[Munster]], in the south west of [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite book |title=North American Exploration: A New World Disclosed. Volume: 1 |author=Allen, John Logan |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |year=1997 |pages=p. 18}}</ref> He was baptized at Tubrid, near [[Ardfert]], by [[Saint Erc]]. For five years he was educated under [[Saint Ita]], ''"the Brigid of Munster"'', and he completed his studies under [[Saint Erc]], who ordained him priest in [[512 in Ireland|512]]. Between the years [[512 in Ireland|512]] and [[530 in Ireland|530]] St Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of [[Mount Brandon]], [[Shanakeel]]&mdash; ''Seana Cill'', usually translated as "the old church"&mdash; also called Baalynevinoorach. It was from here that he set out on his famous seven years [[voyage]] for [[Paradise|the Land of Delight]]. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the ''"Egressio familiae S. Brendani"'', on [[March 22]]; 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". [[Image:Faroe stamps 252-253 Europe and the Discoveries.jpg|thumb|right|310px|Brendan discovering the Faroes and Iceland<br/>Stamp sheet FR 252-253 of [[Postverk Føroya]]<br/>Issued: 18 April 1994<br/>Artist: Colin Harrison]] ==Legendary journey== St Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to The Isle of the Blessed (also called [[Tír na nÓg]]) as described in the ninth century ''Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator''. Many versions exist, that tell of how he set out onto the [[Atlantic Ocean]] with sixty [[pilgrim]]s<ref>One of these companions is said to have been [[Saint Malo (saint)|Saint Malo]], the namesake of [[Saint-Malo]].</ref> (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute), searching for the [[Americas]]. If it happened, this would have occurred in around 512-530 AD, before his travel to the island of [[Great Britain]]. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen [[St Brendan's Island|a blessed island]] covered with vegetation. He also encountered a [[sea monster]], an adventure he shared with his contemporary St. [[Columba]]. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called [[Jasconius]] or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in [[Irish mythology]] but in other traditions, from [[Sinbad the Sailor]] to [[Pinocchio]]. ===Early Dutch version=== One of the earliest preserved written versions of the legend is in Dutch ''[[Des Reis van Sint Brandaen]]'' (Dutch for ''The Voyage of Saint Brendan''), written in the [[12th century]]. Scholars believe it derived from a now lost middle [[High German]] text combined with [[Celt]]ic elements from [[Ireland]] and combines [[Christian]] and [[fairy tale]] elements. ''Des Reis van Sint Brandaen'' describes "Brandaen," a monk from Galway, and his voyage around the world for nine years. The journey was begun as a punishment by an [[angel]] who had seen Brendan not to believe the truth of a book on the miracles of creation and saw Brandaen throw it into the fire. The angel tells him that truth has been destroyed. On his journeys Brandaen encounters the wonders and horrors of the world, such as [[Judas]] frozen on one side and burning on the other, people with swine heads, dog legs and wolf teeth carrying bows and arrows, and an enormous fish that encircles the ship by holding its tail in its mouth. The English poem ''Life of Saint Brandan'' is a later English derivative of the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] version.<ref>Meijer 1971:9-10.</ref> ===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 Saint Brendan. Saint Brendan is the Patron Saint of sailors and travelers. At the [[United States Naval Academy]] in, [[Annapolis, Maryland]], a large stained glass window commemorates Brendan's achievements. At [[Fenit Harbour]], [[Tralee]], a substantial bronze sculpture with a small horn has been erected to the memory of Brendan. ===Context=== [[Image:Iarthair Chorcaí 038.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sculpture of St. Brendan, The Square [[Bantry]], County Cork]] While it is generally assumed that the story is a religious allegory, there has been considerable ink spilled over the question of whether the legends are based on actual events, and whether the Isle of the Blessed that Brendan reached was actually America. There is a St. Brendan Society that celebrates the belief that Brendan was the first to discover America. [[Tim Severin]] demonstrated it is possible that a leather-clad boat such as the one described in the ''Navigatio'' could have potentially reached [[North America]].<ref>Severin, Tim. ''The Brendan Voyage: A Leather Boat Tracks the Discovery of America by the Irish Sailor Saints''. McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1978. ISBN 0-07-056335-7.</ref><ref>(1964, Robert Reily) ''Irish Saints'' page:37, Wing Books, New Jersey, ISBN 0-517-36833-1</ref> Some have alleged that [[Christopher Columbus]] relied on the manuscript "Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis" that told of St. Brendan's travels across the Atlantic.<ref>Chapman, Paul H. ''The Man Who Led Columbus to America.'' Judson Press. 1973. ISBN 0914032011.</ref> Some propose St Brendan as an [[Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact|ancient visitor to the Americas]]. As a genre, The Voyage of St. Brendan (in Latin, the ''Navigatio Sancti Brendani'') fits in with a then-popular form of literature, peculiar to Ireland, called an [[immram]], that describes a hero's series of adventures in a boat. For example, there appear to be similarities with ''[[The Voyage of Bran]]'' written much earlier. In the Navigatio, this style of storytelling meshed with a religious ascetic tradition where Irish monks would travel alone in boats, the same way their desert brothers used to isolate themselves in caves. ==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 [[bishop]]ric at [[Galway City|Annaghdown]], where he spent the rest of his days. Centuries later this diocese was merged into the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam|Archdiocese of Tuam]]. He was recognised as a saint by the Irish Church, and his feast day was celebrated on [[May 16]]. Having established the bishopric of [[Ardfert]], St 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 in Ireland|550]]. He then journeyed to Wales, and thence to Iona, for he 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 ([[County Kilkenny]]), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at [[Inchiquin]], [[County Galway]] and at [[Inishglora]], [[County Mayo]]. Saint Brendan's most celebrated foundation was [[Clonfert Cathedral]], in the year [[563]], over which he appointed St. Moinenn as Prior and Head Master. St Brendan was interred in Clonfert. ==Modern re-enactment== In [[1976 in Ireland|1976]], Irish explorer [[Tim Severin]] built an ox [[leather]] [[Currach|curragh]] and over two summers sailed her from Ireland via the [[Hebrides]], [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Iceland]] to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] to demonstrate that the saint's purported voyage was feasible. On his voyage, he encountered various sights such as [[iceberg]]s and sea animals such as whales and porpoises which he suggests are factual counterparts to the fantastic sights from the legends of Brendan. See ''The Brendan Voyage'', ISBN 0-349-10707-6. ==Appearances in popular culture== * The Brendan Voyage is an orchestral suite for [[Uilleann pipes]], written by Irish composer [[Shaun Davey]] in 1983 and based on [[Tim Severin]]'s book of the same name. * Novelist [[Patricia Kennealy-Morrison]] features St. Brendan in her book "The Deers Cry", retelling his story with a science fiction twist. * Novelist [[Frederick Buechner]] retold the story of Brendan's travels in his 1987 novel Brendan. * The [[Celtic music|Celtic band]] [[Iona (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]]. * Singer songwriter [[Sarana VerLin]] wrote an instrumental song titled "St. Brendan's Reel" that appears on several albums including "Amadon Crest". * In the 2005 film [[Beowulf & Grendel]], a travelling monk named Brendan the Celt sails to Denmark circa 521 A.D. * The [[cream liqueur]] ''"Saint Brendan's"'' is named after him. ==List of Places Associated with St. Brendan and their General Location== * [[Ardfert]], [[County Kerry]] * [[Fenit Island]], [[Tralee Bay]], County Kerry * [[Brandon Creek]] on the [[Dingle Peninsula]], County Kerry. * [[Mount Brandon]], County Kerry * [[Brandon Hill]], [[County Kilkenny]] * [[Faroe Islands]] * [[Bristol]], [[Gloucestershire]]. * [[Iona]] Island, [[Scotland]] * [[Gallarus]] Oratory, County Kerry * [[Clonfert]] * [[Killadysert]], [[County Clare]] * [[Dysart]], County Kilkenny * [[Killbrandon]], near [[Oban]], Scotland * [[Kilbrennan Sound]] * [[Killiney]] * [[Inchiquin]], [[County Galway]] * [[Inishglora]], [[County Mayo]] * [[Hebrides]] * [[Iceland]] * [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] * [[Canary Islands]] * [[Jan Mayen]], which some claim he was the first person to sight ==Curiosity== In the [[Sicily|Sicilian]] town of [[Bronte, Catania|Bronte]] there is a Church dedicated to the Irish Saint whose name in the local dialect is ''"San Brandanu"''.Since [[1574]], the "''Chiesa di San Blandano''"(=''Church of Saint Brendan'') replaced an homonymous Chapel that existed previously in the same location.The real devotional reasons of such entitlement are still unknown and untraceable.In [[1799]] the countryside surrounding Bronte will become the British ''"Duchy of [[Horatio Nelson]]"''.The Irish town of [[Drogheda]] is twinned with Bronte.[http://www.bronteinsieme.it/1mo/ch_4a.html][http://www.bronteinsieme.it/2st/Nelson_Bronte.htm] ==References== {{ref-list}} * Donnchadha, Gearóid Ó. ''St Brendan of Kerry, the Navigator. His Life & Voyages.'' OPEN AIR ISBN 1-85182-871-0 * Meijer, Reinder. ''Literature of the Low Countries: A Short History of Dutch Literature in the Netherlands and Belgium.'' New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1971. Annandale, NSW, Australia. == Bibliography == {{refbegin}} {{refend}} ==See also== * [[List of people on stamps of Ireland]] * [[Saint Amaro]], a semi-legendary Spanish navigator and saint * [[Timeline of pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact]] * [[St. Brendan's Island]], a [[phantom island]] said to have been discovered by St. Brendan on his voyage ==External links== *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02758c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: ''St. Brendan''] *[http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=34209 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''] *[http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/people/saints/brendan.shtm Biography from ''"A Little Book of Celtic Saints:"'' ''Saint Brendan the Navigator''] *[http://www.fh-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost10/Brendanus/bre_navi.html ''"Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis"''] in (Latin) *[http://www.forteantimes.com/features/articles/262/the_voyage_of_beyond_the_sea.html ''The Voyage of Beyond the Sea''] Simon Young writes about St Brendan's journey in Fortean Times *[http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110006405 Wall Street Journal: "Of Sainted Memory"] *[http://www.faroestamps.fo/?side=b6d3d096d981070acabd94f279a86586 Faroestamps.fo - Faroese stamp edition] (English, German, French, Danish, Faroese) *[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17343/17343-h/17343-h.htm Brendan's Fabulous Voyage] - 1893 lecture by [[John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute]], available from [[Project Gutenberg]] {{Twelve Apostles of Ireland}} <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> {{Persondata |NAME=Brendan of Clonfert |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Brendan, Saint Brendan of Clonfert,Bréanainn of Clonfert |SHORT DESCRIPTION=The Navigator |DATE OF BIRTH=[[484]] |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Fenit]], [[Tralee]], [[County Kerry]], [[Ireland]] |DATE OF DEATH=[[577]] |PLACE OF DEATH= }} [[Category:484 births]] [[Category:578 deaths]] [[Category:Christian folklore]] [[Category:Irish saints]] [[Category:Medieval legends]] [[Category:Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact]] [[Category:Irish explorers]] [[Category:Irish religious leaders]] [[br:Brendan]] [[de:Brendan der Reisende]] [[es:Brandán]] [[fo:Brendan]] [[fr:Brendan de Clonfert]] [[ga:Naomh Breandán]] [[is:Sankti Brendan]] [[it:Brendano di Clonfert]] [[he:ברנדן מקלונפרט]] [[sw:Brendan]] [[nl:Brandaan van Clonfert]] [[ja:ブレンダン (聖人)]] [[no:Brendan sjøfareren]] [[nn:Brendan sjøfararen]] [[pl:Święty Brendan]] [[pt:São Brandão]] [[ru:Святой Брендан]] [[sl:Sveti Brendan]] [[fi:Pyhä Brendan]] [[sv:Brendan]]