who wrote st brendan's voyage

Saint Brendan and His Epic Voyage: Was the Irish Saint the First European in the New World?

• Read Later  

Saint Brendan (also referred to by his various epithets ‘the Navigator’, ‘the Voyager’, ‘the Anchorite’, and ‘the Bold’) was an Irish saint who lived between the 5th and 6th centuries AD known for his legendary voyage in search of the ‘Island of Paradise’ or the ‘Land of Promise of the Saints’. 

Part of the early Irish monastic tradition, St. Brendan traveled around northwest Europe to preach the Christian faith and to found monasteries. Whilst there is no historical proof available at present to support his famous voyage, the fantastic adventures of the saint were compiled into a piece of literary work known as the ‘ Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis ’ (Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot).

A woodcut which shows the scene from Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis where the saint celebrates a mass on the body of a sea monster. ( Public Domain )

St. Brendan’s Ordination

St. Brendan is recorded to have been born in 484 AD, in Ciarraighe Luachra, near Tralee, a port town in the southwestern Irish county of County Kerry, which is part of the province of Munster. The records also indicate that the future saint was baptized by Saint Erc, another Irish saint, at Tubrid, near Ardfert. After a year with his parents, the child Brendan was sent to the home of a local chieftain, Airde mac Fidaigh at Cathair Airde in Listrim, about 5 km (3.11 miles) to the east of his home. At the end of his fifth year, St. Brendan returned to his family, and continued his studies under Saint Erc. In 510 AD, the saint was ordained a priest by his teacher (another source provides 512 AD as the year in which the saint was ordained).

• True Remains of the Saint Behind the Santa Myth Believed Found in Turkey
• The Immortal Count of Saint Germaine: Ascended Master of Ancient Wisdom
• Viva La Muerte! Santa Muerte, Folk Saint and Holy Personification of Death, Healer and Protector

In the following years, Saint Brendan traveled around the British Isles, spreading Christianity, and founding monastic communities. Some of the monasteries he founded included the ones at Clonfert, in County Galway (which is his largest and most celebrated), at Inis-da-druim (present day Coney Island), in County Clare, and at Shanakeel (known also as Baalynevinoorach), located at the foot of Brandon Hill in County Kerry. Additionally, St. Brendan is also remembered as a voyager thanks to the account of his fantastic voyage in search of the Island of Paradise.

Sculpture of St Brendan, The Square Bantry, County Cork. ( Public Domain )

St. Brendan’s Encounter with a Sea Monster

An account of St. Brendan’s journey to the Island of Paradise may be found in a text known as the ‘ Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis ’, which was written down around the 9th century AD. Several variations are available, which has resulted in some differences in the details of the story. For example, St. Brendan is recorded to have not undertaken the voyage alone, but accompanied by a group of his fellow monks. The number of his companions, however, varies according to the sources, ranging from as few as 14 to as many as 60. In any case, the monks’ voyage took seven years to complete, during which they encountered a number of incredible adventures.

One of these, for example, is the monks’ encounter with the sea monster Jasconius. This tale is said to be the most commonly illustrated adventure of St. Brendan. In the tale, the monks mistake the monster as an island, due to its immense size, and went onto its back. They only realized that their island was in fact a living creature when they made their campfire, as it woke the sea monster up. In one version of the tale, the monks encountered a sea monster that sought to devour them instead. The saint prayed to God for deliverance, and another sea monster emerged from the water to slay the first monster.

• Saint Augustine of Hippo and His Detours on the Long and Winding Path to Christianity
• The Historical Count of Saint-Germaine: Elusive, Enigmatic and Eternal
• When Millions Were Dropping Dead From the Plague, The 14 Holy Helpers Were Summoned to Intercede

Saint Brendan and the whale from a 15th-century manuscript. ( Public Domain )

Did Saint Brendan Reach the New World?

The voyage of Saint Brendan has led some to argue that it was this Irish saint, rather than the Vikings or Christopher Columbus, who was the first European to have reached the New World. One of the people who sought to determine the veracity of this claim was Tim Severin, a British explorer.

In 1976, Severin built a traditional ship using the design, materials, and techniques that the monks would have used. The explorer successfully sailed from Ireland to North America. Whilst this does not necessarily mean that St. Brendan was the first European to reach the New World, it does demonstrate that the voyage undertaken by the saint was entirely possible.

Statue of Brendan at Fenit Harbour. ( CC BY SA 3.0 )

Top image: Exhibit in the Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Source: Public Domain

By  Wu Mingren

Anon., The Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot [Online]

[O’Donoghue, D. (trans.) 1893. The Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot .] Available at: http://markjberry.blogs.com/StBrendan.pdf

Grattan-Flood, W. & Hartig, O., 1907. St. Brendan. [Online] Available at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02758c.htm

Haggerty, B., 2011. St. Brendan,The Navigator. [Online] Available at: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/BrendanNav.html

Howley, A., 2013. Did St. Brendan Reach North America 500 Years Before the Vikings?. [Online] Available at: https://voices.nationalgeographic.org/2013/05/16/did-st-brendan-reach-north-america-500-years-before-the-vikings/

Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage, 2017. Irish Monks and the Voyage of St. Brendan. [Online] Available at: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/exploration/st-brendan-voyage.php

www.saint-brendan.org , 2010. Saint Brendan The Navigator. [Online] Available at: http://www.saint-brendan.org/index.asp

seems there comes a time when many people so called discovered america even thousands of years ago

Wu Mingren (‘Dhwty’) has a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods.... Read More

Related Articles on Ancient-Origins

St. Brendan the Navigator: The Voyage of the Saint and the Search for the Promised Land

St. Brendan the Navigator, also known as Brendan of Clonfert, is one of the most intriguing figures in the annals of Irish Christianity. Celebrated as a daring seafarer and explorer, he is best known for his legendary voyage in search of the “Promised Land of the Saints.” This article delves into the life of St. Brendan, the tales of his voyages, and the enduring legacy of this adventurous saint.

Early Life and Spiritual Formation

St. Brendan was born around 484 AD in County Kerry, Ireland. He was baptized by St. Erc, a bishop who recognized Brendan’s spiritual potential and provided him with his early education. Brendan was then sent to a monastery school for further education, where he was ordained a priest at the age of 26.

Founding Monasteries

St. Brendan is noted for founding numerous monastic settlements across Ireland. The most famous of these is Clonfert in County Galway, established around 557 AD. These monasteries served as important centers of learning, echoing the Celtic tradition of combining Christian faith with holistic education.

The Voyage of St. Brendan

St. Brendan’s most famous contribution to Irish religious folklore is his legendary voyage across the Atlantic. According to “Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis” (The Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot), Brendan was inspired by the story of St. Barinthus, who claimed to have discovered a land of abundance, which Brendan understood to be the “Promised Land of the Saints.”

Intrigued and driven by spiritual curiosity, Brendan decided to undertake a voyage to discover this Promised Land. He reportedly built a curragh, a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame covered in animal hides, and set sail with a group of fellow monks.

Encounters and Miracles

The tales of Brendan’s voyage, which reportedly lasted seven years, are filled with fantastical elements. His journey, as depicted in the Navigatio, included encounters with enormous sea creatures, a floating crystal pillar, an island that turned out to be a sea monster, and a mysterious island inhabited by a hermit.

One of the most captivating stories from Brendan’s voyage is the Easter celebration on the back of a whale. According to the tale, Brendan and his crew, unable to find land during Easter, landed on a small island to hold Mass. As they concluded the service, the island began to move and they realized they had been on the back of a giant sea creature, presumably a whale.

The Land of Promise

The climax of St. Brendan’s voyage was the discovery of the Land of Promise. This land, as described in the Navigatio, was a paradise filled with lush vegetation, abundant flowers, and rich fruits. After spending forty days exploring this land, an angel appeared to Brendan and told him to return to Ireland. The angel informed Brendan that the Land of Promise would remain hidden until the end of time.

Return to Ireland

Following his epic voyage, St. Brendan returned to Ireland where he continued his ecclesiastical work. His accounts of the voyage spread far and wide, inspiring numerous manuscripts and adaptations.

Death and Sainthood

St. Brendan died in 577 AD at the monastery of Annaghdown while visiting his sister Briga. He was buried in Clonfert, and his tomb soon became a pilgrimage site. Although there are no records of his formal canonization, his sainthood was widely recognized by local Christian communities, and he was venerated as the patron saint of sailors and travelers.

Impact and Influence of the Voyage

St. Brendan’s legendary journey ignited the imagination of many explorers in the centuries that followed. The detailed descriptions of his voyage were used as a navigational guide in the Middle Ages, inspiring a belief in a land beyond the known world.

The belief in St. Brendan’s Island, an island supposedly discovered by Brendan during his voyage, persisted on maps until the 19th century. Some have even proposed that Brendan reached the Americas long before Columbus, although this theory is a subject of ongoing debate.

St. Brendan in Art and Literature

The tales of St. Brendan’s voyage have had a lasting influence on art and literature. He has often been depicted in a boat or holding an oar, symbolizing his seafaring adventures. In literature, his voyage has been the subject of numerous adaptations, including novels, poems, and plays.

One of the most famous literary works based on Brendan’s journey is the Latin poem “Navigatio Sancti Brendani,” which dates back to at least the 9th century. This poem has been translated into many languages and has inspired countless retellings.

Modern Celebrations and Veneration

St. Brendan’s feast day is celebrated on May 16th, and he is venerated as the patron saint of sailors, mariners, and travelers. In many coastal communities in Ireland and elsewhere, St. Brendan’s Day is marked with processions and special church services. In addition, many seafaring traditions and customs are associated with St. Brendan, highlighting his enduring influence on maritime culture.

St. Brendan’s Legacy

While the historical accuracy of St. Brendan’s voyage is a subject of debate, its influence on Christian tradition and folklore is undeniable. The stories of his journey continue to captivate the imagination, symbolizing the human quest for spiritual discovery and exploration.

St. Brendan’s life and journey embody the spirit of adventure inherent in the Christian quest for spiritual truth. His voyage represents the journey of the soul towards the divine, navigating through the unknown in search of the Promised Land.

St. Brendan and the Christian Imagination

The tale of St. Brendan’s voyage continues to hold a unique place in the Christian imagination. It combines elements of adventure, faith, and the miraculous, providing a rich narrative that has been retold and reimagined across the centuries.

From a broader perspective, St. Brendan’s voyage can be viewed as a metaphor for the Christian journey through life. Just as Brendan navigated through uncharted waters, facing both peril and wonder, so too does the Christian navigate through the trials and joys of life, guided by faith towards the ultimate Promised Land.

St. Brendan and Irish Cultural Identity

St. Brendan is not only a significant figure in Christian history, but he also holds a special place in Irish cultural identity. His story ties together elements of monastic spirituality, a deep connection with nature, and a spirit of exploration and adventure. As such, St. Brendan embodies many of the qualities and values that are central to Irish cultural identity.

In conclusion, St. Brendan the Navigator remains one of the most fascinating figures in Irish Christian history. His legendary voyage continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of faith, the allure of the unknown, and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.

Did you find this helpful?

Related posts.

St. Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland and His Legendary Exploits

St. Columba: The Irish Saint Who Battled a Monster and Converted Scotland

St. Kevin of Glendalough: A Hermit’s Life, Miracles, and the Blackbird’s Nest

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Tim Severin: Writer and explorer best known for the Brendan Voyage

Remarkable adventure saga became international best seller and documentary film.

Tim Severin with sextant as the leather vessel the Brendan crossed from Ireland to North America.

Tim Severin

Born: September 25th, 1940

Died: December 18th, 2020

The explorer, writer and film maker, Tim Severin, best known for the Brendan Voyage where he sailed from Ireland to Newfoundland to prove that the 6th century Irish saint could have reached the Americas 900 years before Columbus, has died at his home in west Cork at the age of 80.

‘People in Ireland are kind and respect us. I don’t feel like I’m a refugee’

The 2020 Irish Times Christmas prize quiz

Babara Windsor obituary: A giant of the British entertainment industry

Do you remember this? What happened in 2020

Severin was born in Assam in India, the son of an English tea planter, but he was keen to dispel any notions of privilege when he spoke to The Irish Times in 1999. “We were very poor. The tea planters were not rich. The people who owned the plantations were rich but they were back in Scotland and England. My parents were poor.”

He was sent to boarding school in England at the age of seven and he later read history and geography at Oxford, and it was while he was still an undergraduate there at Keble College in 1961 that he sought to recreate his first ancient journey, retracing on motorbike Marco Polo’s 13th-century journey into Asia.

Six years later he followed in the footsteps of Spanish conquistadors and others sailing down the Mississippi river, but it was his decision to try to follow in the footsteps of St Brendan and cross the Atlantic in a leather-bound boat in 1976 that caught the public imagination.

Studying the Latin texts of the Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis (The Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot) which dates back to at least 800 AD and tells the story of Brendan’s (circa 489-583), Severin sought to follow in the Irish saint’s steps.

“I recreated the boat of St Brendan and set out to see what would happen, and it was in that way that I discovered for me, the fascination of travel wasn’t just space but being able to go back in time, and . . . that new dimension opened for me on the Atlantic,” he later said.

Severin set about building as close a replica of St Brendan’s boat as possible, sourcing oak and ash from Glennan Brothers in Longford and tanned leather from 25 oxen from a firm called Josiah Crogan in Cornwall. He consulted harnessmaker John O’Connell from Bishopstown in Cork. Eleven metres long and open, St Brendan, built at Crosshaven Boatyard in Co Cork, was made from ash ribs and oak dunnels, lashed together with nearly 3km of leather thongs in 1,600 knots, wrapped with 49 traditionally tanned ox hides and sealed with wool grease to protect against the salt water.

As he surveyed the stitching of the leather hides on to the boat at Crossshaven Boatyard, Severin told RTÉ News: “I think the boat is as safe as the people sailing her – the question is ‘Can we sail her well enough?’ And that is the one of the really great questions – in the few months available to us for our trials, can we learn some of the lost arts of handling this type of boat?

“I wouldn’t be doing it unless I was confident that we could manage to do it – we will need weather luck and we do need favourable winds and we could do without any storms.”

On May 17th, 1976, Severin and his three fellow crew men, led by sailing master George Moloney from Dublin, rowed out of Brandon Creek on the Dingle Peninsula, the spot where St Brendan is reported to have departed almost 1,500 years earlier to begin what would prove a 7,200km epic journey.

Severin later explained in a documentary film he made about the voyage: “It was the first of my major projects, and it was to test whether the story of St Brendan, which was hugely well-known during the later Middle Ages, could have been true.

“The story was called the Navigation . . . about the voyage of St Brendan, who sets out with a party of monks in a boat made of leather, and has various adventures on the way, stops at various islands, and reaches a great land far in the West. Some people of course have said he reached North America.

“When I say that it was very well known, it was well known to the extent that Columbus, when he was half way across, actually stopped his little flotilla of three vessels and said, ‘This is about the area where we should find the islands which St Brendan visited.’ Columbus believed in the story and the islands were marked on the map.”

Severin and his crew sailed to the Aran Islands and from there to Iona, the Hebrides, the Faroe Islands (where they picked up artist, Trondur Patersson), before sailing on to Iceland and Greenland and from Greenland to Newfoundland.

He believed his recreation of the voyage helped to identify the bases for many of the legendary elements of the St Brendan story: the Island of Sheep, the Paradise of Birds, Crystal Towers, mountains that hurled rocks at voyagers, and the Promised Land.

On June 26th, 1977, some 13 months after leaving Brandon Creek, Severin and his crew sailed into Musgrave Harbour on Peckford Island in Newfoundland and were welcomed as heroes by the locals who fully appreciated the navigational feat.

But crew member Arthur Mangan from Howth related just how dangerous the voyage was aboard the open boat when he spoke to RTÉ News the day after they landed safely at Musgrove Harbour following the final stage of the voyage – a 52 day trip from Greenland.

“We had some pretty hairy times out there . . . off the east of Greenland, we had a storm of Force 11 or 12 with 40ft waves folding in on us in the boot – at one stage I was up to my knees in water – the boat was half full of water and we just had to get that water out as fast as possible.”

Severin published the story of his remarkable adventure in The Brendan Voyage, a book which became an international best seller that was translated into 16 languages. He also made a documentary film about the voyage.

“It was a project which completely changed my life . . . Because of Brendan, I was able to do a number of other projects of similar kind, mainly investigating legendary voyages by building a ship of the time and sailing,” he told the Irish Examiner in 2017.

Severin undertook voyages to retrace the journey of Sinbad the Sailor from The One Thousand and One Nights in 1980 and 1981, and the voyages of legendary figures from Greek mythology such as Jason and the Argonauts in 1984 and Ulysses in 1985.

He followed the knights of the First Crusade by riding on horseback to Jerusalem in 1987 and 1988. He rode with Mongol horsemen in 1990 to mark the 800th anniversary of the birth of Genghis Khan. That story was published in 1993 as The Search for Genghis Khan.

A prolific author, Severin also wrote a series of historical novels, The Vikings Series about a young Viking adventurer, Thorgils Leiffson who leaves the frozen shores of Greenland and sails as far as Byzantium .

In addition, Severin wrote a series of novels about fictional 17th-century pirate, Hector Lynch, before turning his hand to a series of historical novels set in Anglo-Saxon England. He returned to Hector Lynch in his most recent work of fiction, Freebooter, which was published in 2017.

Severin, who died at his home in Timoleague in west Cork, is survived by his wife, Dee and daughter, Ida as well as his son-in-law James Ashworth and grandsons, George and Guy.

Michael Harding: In January almost everything seems possible

No haircuts, no manicures: this is the year that things changed, róisín ingle: 20 things i would put in a time capsule from 2020, ‘we sold them a house, now they’re coming for christmas dinner’, an appreciation: pat hill, charley pride obituary: country music’s first black super star, in this section, fr tony byrne: a priest who was always devoted to the poor, roberto cavalli obituary: designer known for his hectic, blingy, classless aesthetic, trina robbins obituary: the first female illustrator to draw wonder woman, jimmy davis-goff: death of an adventurer with an ‘all-encompassing sense of life’, oj simpson obituary: ex-football star famously acquitted of double murder, woman ordered to remove walls, gates and foundations erected without planning permission, london attack: boy (14) killed after stabbing incidents as sword-wielding suspect arrested, emergency legislation will allow ‘operational agreement’ between ireland and uk on return of asylum seekers to come into force, government says, man seriously injured in suspected knife attack at homeless tents in dublin city centre, ‘we’re moving with the times’: private all-girls’ school in south dublin to admit boys for first time, latest stories, man detained by british home office told he is being sent to rwanda, says ngo, dublin port conservation project lifts lid on hidden heritage of city docks, large household size makes ireland clear outlier in europe - esri report, irish manufacturing sector sees biggest orders slump in 16 months, miriam lord: independent td turns on ‘drew harris and his gang’.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

The Brendan Voyage

• Post author By Simon King
• Post date July 24, 2020

You could say that Tim Severin is a historical re-enactor, but that would conjure all the wrong images, of renaissance fairs and Colonial Williamsburg. At nearly 80 years old, his accomplishments are better described as experiential archaeology , recreating legendary journeys to prove they could have happened. His historical adventures are based on years of upfront study, working with scholars to decipher ancient texts and find period-appropriate technology and materials. I only recently learned about Severin’s work, through his 1978 book that documents a fascinating early project called The Brendan Voyage .

In the 6th-century, an Irish monk named St. Brendan wrote the Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis (The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot), a document describing a westward sea journey to the “promised land” that some believe was North America. The journey included numerous stops at islands along the way, and he described seeing fantastic sights and creatures from aboard his medieval “skin boat.” Although some scholars interpret the monk’s manuscript figuratively, others subscribe to the belief that it is more travelogue than fable. That question is at the heart of The Brendan Voyage , Severin’s project to recreate St. Brendan’s journey and prove that a leather-clad sailboat could successfully traverse the North Atlantic.

“Of course, if the claim was true, then Saint Brendan would have reached America almost a thousand years before Columbus and four hundred years before the Vikings.” The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin, Chapter 1

Severin’s first task, which took years of hard work, was the creation of a boat that would match the one used by St. Brendan. In The Brendan Voyage he describes a process of researching, learning, and collaborating with various experts. The energy surrounding the project is contagious, and propelled by what he calls “Brendan Luck” that seems to grace him throughout the project.

The traditional Irish curragh , which is still in use today on the west coast of Ireland, is a descendent of the boat that St. Brendan would have sailed. In modern times, canvas is stretched over the wooden frame, but the Navigatio describes a boat covered with oxhide. This was the first materials challenge for Severin, and initial tests showed that leather would deteriorate quickly in sea water.

Luckily the text provides additional clues, describing the leather as “tanned in oak bark” and coated in “grease” to make it water proof. After numerous lab studies it was proven that, indeed, oak bark was the best leather treatment. Severin found a single tannery in Britain that could help, run by the Croggon family in the Cornish town of Grampound. They had been using traditional tanning techniques since they opened in 1711, and as Brendan Luck would have it, they were enthusiastic about the project.

“So began a delightful period of work. The British leather industry took the Brendan project to heart, and what splendid people the leathermakers turned out to be.” The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin, Chapter 2

The manuscript describes applying “grease” to the leather, and even mentions bringing extra grease on the journey for re-application. These kinds of details further convinced Severin that he was reading the documentation of a real trip. It’s easy to determine that this must have been lanolin or “wool grease,” a wax that secreted by sheep. Severin and his crew applied it liberally to the oak bark leather and described the resulting stench as nearly unbearable.

“I wonder if you could supply me with some wool grease.” “Yes, of course. How much do you want?” “About three-quarters of a ton, please.” There was stunned silence. The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin, Chapter 2

The remaining challenges of building Brenden , a 36-foot medieval boat were numerous and back breaking. Just the right cuts of oak and ash were found to build the mast and hull—apparently the north side of the tree is the strongest. Joints were lashed together with miles of leather stripping, and 49 overlapping ox hides were stitched together with flax cords. Brendan Luck struck again when Severin learned that John O’Connell, a master harness maker, lived nearby where the boat was being built. He joined the project and taught Severin and a team of volunteers how to stitch the thick leather. Once on the ocean their lives would depend on the quality of every stitch and knot, a reality that hung heavy over the slow and strenuous work.

For more detail on the boat’s construction I suggest checking out the article Across the Atlantic in a Leather Boat , which includes relevant excepts from the book and broader information on traditional skin boats in other parts of the world.

The Journey

On May 17, 1976 Brenden set sail from Brandon Creek (named after an alternate spelling of the monk’s name) in County Kerry, Ireland. Every step of the voyage is detailed wonderfully in the book, including photographs from aboard the boat. Even though I knew they would make it, the vivid description of life aboard the boat was both nail biting and riveting.

The route, as with the boat’s construction, was an attempt to recreate the original journey as much as possible. Brendan followed a “stepping stone” path along the western coast of Ireland, and into the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The first long stretch at sea was from Stornoway to the Faroe Islands, and in-between the crew was delighted by continual visits from pods of curious whales.

The Faroes are a potential match for two of the islands mentioned in the Navigatio : “The Island of Sheep” and “The Paradise of Birds.” As they approached the islands from the west, a storm in the Mykines Sound nearly forced Brendan to sail onward without landing, but they managed to maneuver north around Streymoy and land safely in the harbor at Tjørnuvík.

“More than any other people I had ever met, the Faroese understood the sea and showed their appreciation of the endeavor, and once again it was easy to detect the common bond which linked all seafarers in those hostile, northern waters.” The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin, Chapter 7

Throughout the journey, there were a few points where it became necessary for crew members to leave the project, because of injury or circumstance, and thus new people were needed to join. On the Faroe Islands, Brendan Luck would have it, that Tim Severin met Tróndur Patterson.

Today, Tróndur Patterson is a well known artist in the Faroe Islands. He’s celebrated for his paintings, sculptures, and glass art that are inspired by life at sea. Severin described meeting Tróndur as an almost fateful occurrence, beginning with an invitation to his home in Kirkjubøur where he realized that the village had a historical place name related to St. Brendan.

“What is the name of the village?” I asked. “Kirkjubo,” she replied. “Does it have any other name?” “Yes, sometimes this place is called Brandarsvik.” The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin, Chapter 7

Tróndur was quieter than the other crew members, but he brought a Faroese confidence to life at sea. He was adept at catching seabirds using whale blubber, and had tricks for staying warm in soaking wet clothes. He also had a sixth sense for a how to respond in stormy weather, which proved invaluable during the latter half of the trip. His spare time at sea was spent drawing, and the book is filled with his illustrations.

Not only was Patursson a vital crew member on Brendan , the fateful meeting kicked off a longer collaboration with Severin. Just two years after The Brendan Voyage was complete they were reunited aboard another ancient vessel to attempt The Sindbad Voyage .

From the Faroe Islands the crew sailed to Iceland, which St. Brendan called the “Island of Smiths” in an apparent description of a volcanic eruption. After bringing the boat ashore in Reykjavík, it was clear that Brendan had fared well. The leather hull was coated in barnacles, but without a single tear or hole. Still, after weeks of waiting for favorable weather, it was determined that the sea between Iceland and Greenland was simply too rough to continue; sailing season was over. They decided to wait until the following spring and docked Brendan in Iceland for the winter.

It had always been a good guess that the last leg of the trip would be the hardest, since the waters around Greenland and Labrador are sparsely inhabited and treacherous. That turned out to be true for Brendan , which nearly capsized in stormy weather and suffered damage to her leather hull while navigating through icebergs. It was touch and go at times, but of course, in the end, they were successful. On June 26, 1977 the voyage was completed by landing on Peckford Island, Newfoundland. In the documentary , which includes film from land-based crews as well as onboard footage, we see excited crowds awaiting the boat’s arrival and an impromptu parade celebrating the sailors’ accomplishment.

A successful voyage of course doesn’t prove that Irish monks came to North America a thousand years before Columbus, but it does show that they could have using the technology available to them. I find The Brendan Voyage fascinating for both its historical significance and the way it transpires across so many of my favorite islands. I’m also impressed by how well documented it was, the detail of the book and accompanying film. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about this adventure before, given that it concluded a full year before I was born. I guess I should consider it Brendan Luck that it finally crossed my path.

I’d suggest getting a physical copy of the The Brendan Voyage book , perhaps seeking out the original 1978 hardcover to ensure it has all of the photographs, maps, and illustrations by Tróndur Patursson.

Whether you read it or not, I highly recommend watching the documentary, which is available on YouTube in two parts and is just under an hour in total.

Finally, you might be interested in this Story Map about The Brendan Voyage , which includes accurate Google Maps showing the route across the North Atlantic.

• Tags boat , faroe islands , greenland , history , iceland , ireland , newfoundland , scotland

St Brendan The Navigator

St Brendan of Clonfert or in Irish; Naomh Breandán, is known as "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" and is one of the early Irish monastic saints  and was one of the  Twelve Apostles of Ireland .

He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called St. Brendan's Island which is known as the Voyage of St. Brendan.

Saint Brendan's feast day is celebrated on May 16th in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church and within the Anglican Communion.

St Brendan's early life

He was baptized at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Saint Erc. For five years he was educated under the care Saint Ita, who is known as "the Brigid of Munster", and he then went on to complete his studies under Saint Erc, who ordained him as a priest in the year 512.

Between the years 512 and 530 St Brendan built monastic sites at Ardfert at the foot of Mount Brandon. After these years he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise.

The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani", on March 22nd; and St Aengus the Culdee, in his Litany composed at the close of the eighth century, called upon "the sixty who accompanied St. Brendan in his quest for the Land of Promise".

The Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator

Many versions of this story exist, passed down through the centuries, which tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixty pilgrims, however, some other versions have fourteen pilgrims, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute. The purpose of their voyage was to search for the Garden of Eden.

One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo.

If the voyage did take place, it would have occurred sometime between 512-530 AD, before Brendan traveled to the island of Great Britain.

He is said to have also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary St. Columba . This 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.

Later life of St Brendan

Later in his life, Brendan traveled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, where St Columba spent his exile from Ireland. It is situated off the west coast of Scotland.

On returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.

St Brendan's Legacy

Saint Brendan is featured as well known inspiration in popular culture also, such as; "The Brendan Voyage", which is an orchestral suite for the Uilleann pipes , written by Irish composer Shaun Davey in 1983 and based on Tim Severin's book of the same name.

Novelist Frederick Buechner retold the story of Brendan's travels in his 1987 novel, "Brendan".

The Celtic 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 traveling monk named Brendan the Celt sails to Denmark circa 521 A.D.

The cream liqueur "Saint Brendan's", which is a whiskey-based drink and has a factory in Derry, is named after him.

Further reading

• Saint Brendan of Clonfert - wikipedia.org 
• Saint Brendan the Navigator - saints.sqpn.com
• The Voyage of Beyond the Sea - forteantimes.com
• Voyage of St. Brendan - newadvent.org
• Brendan's Fabulous Voyage - John Patrick Crichton Stuart Bute - gutenberg.org

Camogie: A Tradition of Strength, Skill, and Sporting Heritage

Camogie is a traditional Irish sport that holds a significant place in the country's sporting heritage. Dating back centuries, it is the...

Myth of Cailleach: Exploring the Ancient Goddess of Winter

Deep within the mists of Celtic mythology lies the enigmatic figure of Cailleach, a powerful deity whose presence looms large over the...

The Tragic Tale of Liam: Defying Superstition Surrounding Fairy Trees

In “The Curse of the Fairy Tree,” Liam defies superstition and destroys a sacred tree, leading to a cascade of misfortune that plagues him for a lifetime.

Barry Keoghan: From Dublin Streets to Hollywood Spotlight

Barry Keoghan, the Irish actor, has swiftly emerged as one of the most promising talents in Hollywood. With his compelling performances...

Popular Articles

Browse by tag!

1916 Battles Celtic Christianity Clans Executions Ghost Stories Heritage Musicians Mythology Northern Ireland Pagan People Politics Rebellions Recipe Rituals Stories Traditional War

Most Popular Today!

St. Brendan's Voyage

The deaths of several Irish saints, whose lives are of more than ordinary interest, are recorded about this period. Amongst them, St. Brendan of Clonfert demands more than a passing notice. His early youth was passed under the care of St. Ita, a lady of the princely family of the Desii. By divine command she established the Convent of Cluain Credhuil , in the present county of Limerick, and there, it would appear, she devoted herself specially to the care of youth. When Brendan had attained his fifth year, he was placed under the protection of Bishop Ercus, from whom he received such instruction as befitted his advancing years. But Brendan's tenderest affection clung to the gentle nurse of his infancy; and to her, in after years, he frequently returned, to give or receive counsel and sympathy.

The legend of his western voyage, if not the most important, is at least the most interesting part of his history. Kerry was the native home of the enterprising saint; and as he stood on its bold and beautiful shores, his naturally contemplative mind was led to inquire what boundaries chained that vast ocean, whose grand waters rolled in mighty waves beneath his feet. His thoughtful piety suggested that where there might be a country there might be life—human life and human souls dying day by day, and hour by hour, and knowing of no other existence than that which at best is full of sadness and decay.

Traditions of a far-away land had long existed on the western coast of ancient Erinn. The brave Tuatha Dé Dananns were singularly expert in naval affairs, and their descendants were by no means unwilling to impart information to the saint.

The venerable St. Enda, the first Abbot of Arran, was then living, and thither St. Brendan journeyed for counsel. Probably he was encouraged in his design by the holy abbot; for he proceeded along the coast of Mayo, inquiring as he went for traditions of the western continent. On his return to Kerry, he decided to set out on the important expedition. St. Brendan's Hill still bears his name; and from the bay at the foot of this lofty eminence he sailed for the "far west." Directing his course towards the south-west, with a few faithful companions, in a well-provisioned bark, he came, after some rough and dangerous navigation, to calm seas, where, without aid of oar or sail, he was borne along for many weeks. It is probable that he had entered the great Gulf Stream, which brought his vessel ashore somewhere on the Virginian coasts. He landed with his companions, and penetrated into the interior, until he came to a large river flowing from east to west , supposed to be that now known as the Ohio. Here, according to the legend, he was accosted by a man of venerable bearing, who told him that he had gone far enough; that further discoveries were reserved for other men, who would in due time come and christianize that pleasant land.

After an absence of seven years, the saint returned once more to Ireland, and lived not only to tell of the marvels he had seen, but even to found a college of three thousand monks at Clonfert. This voyage took place in the year 545, according to Colgan; but as St. Brendan must have been at that time at least sixty years old, an earlier date has been suggested as more probable. [8]

The northern and southern Hy-Nials had long held rule in Ireland; but while the northern tribe were ever distinguished, not only for their valour, but for their chivalry in field or court, the southern race fell daily lower in the estimation of their countrymen. Their disgrace was completed when two kings, who ruled Erinn jointly, were treacherously slain by Conall Guthvin. For this crime the family were excluded from regal honours for several generations.

Home dissensions led to fatal appeals for foreign aid, and this frequently from the oppressing party. Thus, Congal Caech, who killed the reigning sovereign in 623, fled to Britain, and after remaining there nine years, returned with foreign troops, by whose assistance he hoped to attain the honours unlawfully coveted. The famous battle of Magh-Rath, [9] in which the auxiliaries were utterly routed, and the false Congal slain, unfortunately did not deter his countrymen from again and again attempting the same suicidal course.

[8] Probable .—The legend of St. Brendan was widely diffused in the Middle Ages. In the Bibliothéque Impériale , at Paris, there are no less than eleven MSS. of the original Latin legend, the dates of which vary from the eleventh to the fourteenth century. In the old French and Romance dialects there are abundant copies in most public libraries in France; while versions in Irish, Dutch, German, Italian; Spanish, and Portuguese, abound in all parts of the Continent. Traces of ante-Columbian voyages to America are continually cropping up. But the appearance, in 1837, of the Antiquitates Americanos sive ita Scriptores Septentrionales rerum ante-Columbiarum , in America, edited by Professor Rafu, at Copenhagen, has given final and conclusive evidence on this interesting subject. America owes its name to an accidental landing. Nor is it at all improbable that the Phoenicians, in their voyage across the stormy Bay of Biscay, or the wild Gulf of Guinea, may have been driven far out of their course to western lands. Even in 1833 a Japanese junk was wrecked upon the coast of Oregon. Humboldt believes that the Canary Isles were known, not only to the Phoenicians, but "perhaps even to the Etruscans." There is a map in the Library of St. Mark, at Venice, made in the year 1436, where an island is delineated and named Antillia. See Trans. R.I.A. vol. xiv. A distinguished modern poet of Ireland has made the voyage of St. Brendan the subject of one of the most beautiful of his poems.

[9] Magh-Rath. —Now Moira, in the county Down. The Chronicum Scotorum gives the date 636, and the Annals of Tighernach at 637, which Dr. O'Donovan considers to be the true date.

Jump to navigation

• About the Academy
• Organisational structure
• Executive director
• Annual review
• Young Academy Ireland
• Application Process
• About Young Academies
• Young Academy Charter
• RIA Careers
• Support the Academy
• Our Supporters
• Corporate Friends
• Contact/Find us
• Department contact details
• Groups visits

Your shopping cart

THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

• Publications
• The Legend of St Brendan. A critical...

Academy Research Open Day

Join us on 4 October to learn more about our research projects, library and publications

Limited edition prints of Michael Collins and other figures from the Rising

Each individual print is signed, numbered and hand coloured by artist David Rooney.

DIB editor Liz Evers on RTÉ Radio 1

Book editor Liz Evers talks to 'The Business' about nineteenth century Irish entrepreneurs included in  Irish Lives in America.

You might also like

Irish Sporting Lives

Ireland 1922: Independence, Partition, Civil War

Irish Art 1920-2020: Perspectives on change

Days in the life: Reading the Michael Collins...

The Handover: Dublin Castle and the British...

Irish lives in America

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 12: 1961-...

Ireland: a voice among the nations

Brokering the Good Friday Agreement: the untold...

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 11: 1957-...

Codices Hibernenses Eximii II: Book of Ballymote

More maps and texts: sources and the Irish...

Irish Studies in International Affairs:...

Judging Redmond and Carson

Sunningdale: the search for peace in Northern...

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 10: 1951-57

Ulster Political Lives, 1886–1921

Food and Drink in Ireland

At home in the Revolution: what women said and...

Trinity in war and revolution 1912-1923

1916 Portraits and Lives

Art and Architecture of Ireland Five Volume Set

Art and Architecture of Ireland Volume II:...

Art and Architecture of Ireland Volume IV:...

Art and Architecture of Ireland Volume III:...

Art and Architecture of Ireland Volume V:...

Art and Architecture of Ireland: Volume I:...

Judging W.T. Cosgrave

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 9: 1948-1951

Glimpses of Ireland's Past. The Ordnance...

Roderick O Flaherty's Letters 1696-1709

Towards Commemoration: Ireland in war and...

A History of Ireland in 100 Objects

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 8: 1945-1948

The Origins of the Irish Constitution, 1928-1941

A Yankee in de Valera's Ireland. The memoir...

The Law of the Sea: the role of the Irish...

My name is Patrick

Dublin 1911

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 7: 1941-1945

The Cosgrave Party. A history of Cumann na...

Our War: Ireland and the Great War

Judging Lemass

Conspiracy: Irish Political Trials

Treasures of the Royal Irish Academy Library

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 6: 1939-1941

Irish Agriculture - A Price History: from the Mid...

1916 in 1966: Commemorating the Easter Rising

Judging Dev: A Reassessment of the Life and...

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 5: 1937-1939

Maps and Views of Derry: 1600-1914, a catalogue

Roger Casement in Irish and World History

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 4: 1932 -...

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 3: 1926-1932

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 2: 1923-1926

New Survey of Clare Island: v. 1: History and...

Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: v. 1

Maynooth Library Treasures from the Collections...

Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland 1918-92...

Beranger's Views of Ireland

Dublin's Turbulent Priest Cornelius Nary...

Ireland and Insular Art, A.D.500-1200: Conference...

A Bibliography of Celtic-Latin Literature 400-1200

Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-...

Irish Historical Statistics: Population 1821-1971

Medieval Ireland C. 1170-1495: a Bibliography of...

• By Time Period
• By Location
• Mission Statement
• Books and Documents
• Ask a NL Question
• How to Cite NL Heritage Website
• ____________
• Archival Mysteries
• Alien Enemies, 1914-1918
• Icefields Disaster
• Colony of Avalon
• Let's Teach About Women
• Silk Robes and Sou'westers
• First World War
• Première Guerre mondiale
• DNE Word Form Database
• Dialect Atlas of NL
• Partners List from Old Site
• Introduction
• Bibliography
• Works Cited
• Abbreviations
• First Edition Corrections
• Second Edition Preface
• Bibliography (supplement)
• Works Cited (supplement)
• Abbreviations (supplement)
• Documentary Video Series (English)
• Une série de documentaires (en français)
• Arts Videos
• Archival Videos
• Table of Contents
• En français
• Exploration and Settlement
• Government and Politics
• Indigenous Peoples
• Natural Environment
• Society and Culture
• Archives and Special Collections
• Ferryland and the Colony of Avalon
• Government House
• Mount Pearl Junior High School
• Registered Heritage Structures
• Stephenville Integrated High School Project
• Women's History Group Walking Tour

Irish Monks and the Voyage of St. Brendan

The case that can be made for transatlantic voyages by medieval Irish monks is a reasonable one. We know that Ireland was the centre for a vigorous culture during the fifth and sixth centuries CE, preserving Christian civilization in Northern Europe after the decline and collapse of the Roman Empire. During this period, Irish monks ventured out into the North Atlantic in pursuit of some kind of spiritual or divine mission. They reached the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Faeroe Islands. The Norse sagas suggest that Irish monks were even in Iceland when the Norse settled there after about 870 CE (though no archaeological evidence has yet confirmed this).

Such accomplishments add authenticity to the story of St. Brendan, who was born in Ireland about 489 and founded a monastery at Clonfert, Galway. According to legend, he was in his seventies when he and 17 other monks set out on a westward voyage in a curragh, a wood-framed boat covered in sewn ox-hides. The monks sailed about the North Atlantic for seven years, according to details set down in the Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis in the tenth century.

Eventually, they reached "the Land of Promise of the Saints," which they explored before returning home with fruit and precious stones found there. Had Brendan reached Newfoundland, using the islands of the North Atlantic as stepping-stones? In 1976 and 1977, the adventurer Tim Severin demonstrated that such a voyage was possible by building the Brendan , a replica of a curragh, and sailing it to Newfoundland. If Irish monks did voyage across the Atlantic and back, then their achievement was historically very significant, for Ireland was the target of Viking raids before the end of the eighth century, and it is perhaps through the Irish that the Norsemen learned about other lands further to the west.

Version française

Related Subjects

• Exploration

Share and print this article:

Contact | © Copyright 1997 – 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site, unless otherwise stated.

The Legend Of The 6th Century Irish Monk Who May Have Sailed To America

In elementary school, you probably learned that Columbus sailed the ocean blue and discovered America in 1492. Later, you learned that in fact, Norse explorers made it to America at least four centuries earlier. But what you don't learn is the possibility that someone else had already beaten the Norse to America 500 years before that.

Irish legend tells that a monk named St. Brendan the Navigator sailed west to a legendary land sometime in the 6th century AD, enduring sea monsters , volcanoes, and storms to reach a mythical, promised land that has been identified as everything from Africa to a metaphor for paradise. Among the more likely candidates, however, is North America. 

St. Brendan's journey has evoked fascination among enthusiasts and scholars, who debate its veracity to this day. With a combination of archaeological evidence, modern-day attempts to recreate the voyage, and Norse stories about the Americas, the evidence suggests that St. Brendan's voyage should not be discarded. Here is the legend of the Irishman who may have "discovered" America.

Mobhi: The man who became Brendan

The man who would become St. Brendan was born in 484 AD in a place called Fenit in County Kerry, Ireland. Now, according to St. Brendan's Catholic Church , his name was originally Mobhi. But the Ireland of the 5th century AD was rapidly changing.

According to Prof. Elva Johnston of University College Dublin, late antique Ireland had seen the introduction of Christianity to the island via Roman Britain – most famously by people such as St. Patrick and St. Palladius. Obviously, the conversion of Ireland did not happen overnight, and instead, took place as a complex interplay and melding of the pagan and the Christian. Eventually, the religion reached Western Ireland where the young Mobhi lived with his family.

It is plausible to assume that Mobhi and his family were converts to Christianity from Celtic paganism, because when he was baptized by one Bishop Erc, his name was changed to Broenn-Finn, or in English parlance, Brendan. Finally, at the age of 26, he was ordained a priest. Armed with the zeal of a convert, St. Brendan threw himself into making converts among his people through an institution that would shape the Celtic Christianity of the British isles – monasteries.

Evangelizing the Emerald Isle one monastery at a time

The Romans never conquered Ireland, and as a result, the island was never urbanized as Roman Britain and Gaul were. There were no large cities, cathedrals, or any institutions that could reliably evangelize the population and educate it in the faith.

Thus, as St. John's Seminary notes, Ireland developed alternative infrastructure for effective evangelization. The answer was monasteries – religious communities where monks lived copying books, praying, fasting, doing penance, and most importantly educating their people in the Christian faith.

In 512, the newly minted Fr. Brendan threw himself into the monastery-building frenzy that engulfed 6th-century Ireland. Between 512 and 530 AD, St. Brendan founded two new monastic communities in Western Ireland – namely Ardfert and Shanakeel in County Cork, per  The Catholic Encyclopedia . Eventually, his influence became so great that other communities were founded to propagate his spirituality, such as a remote community on the otherwise-uninhabited Blasket Islands off the coast of Kerry.

St. Brendan continued founding monasteries well into the latter half of the 6th century. He made several stops in Britain, including at the famous monastery of Iona. His most famous founding was the monastery of Clonfert in 557, where he is buried today. But it seems that somewhere in his life, he decided that his missionary zeal was going to take him West – far, far away from Ireland on a great voyage to an unknown land.

The great journey west begins

The newly-converted Irish were imbued with a missionary zeal to spread the gospel throughout Europe. Many Irish missionaries went East into Central Europe to evangelize the inhabitants of modern Germany. St. Brendan, however, wondered what and who lay beyond the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

This great journey is preserved in the 9th-century Latin text called   "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot."  The text narrates that a man named Fr. Barinthus came to St. Brendan and told him of a journey he undertook with one Mernoc and a handful of other monks to a place called the "Land of Promise of the Saints." Barinthus described this land as lush, green, and covered in fruits and flowers. After exploring the island for 15 days, the priest claimed that the party had reached a great river flowing from West to East. At that point, a "man, shining with great light," appeared to them and told the party to turn back. The land beyond the river was land "He [God] [would] grant unto His saints." Thus, the party returned to Ireland.

Intrigued by the story, St. Brendan chose 14 monks to search for this mystical land as Mernoc and Barinthus had done previously. But before leaving, three more monks requested to join despite warnings that they would all perish along the voyage – two of them painfully. The party then left Ireland in a small boat "covered in cow-hide" with only 40 days of provisions.

Snaking through the North Atlantic

"The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot" narrates that the party made many voyages rather than just one between a handful of places in the North Atlantic that can be reasonably identified today. Now, the first few years of the voyage were spent between three main places: the "Island of Sheep," the "Paradise of Birds," and the Monastery of St. Alibe, which according to historian Tim Severin,'s book " The Brendan Voyage ," likely corresponded to the Faroe Islands and an Irish monastic community somewhere between Ireland and the Faroes respectively. The identification of the islands with the Faroes is supported by local tradition. There exists a place called "Brandarsvik" – Brendan's Creek in English.

Eventually, the party continued north and west, reaching an island full of volcanoes (a.k.a. a mountain with "great smoke issuing from its summit"), which given the geology of the North Atlantic, could only have been Iceland. After encountering various other dangers, including sea monsters (likely whales) and a "gryphon," the monks encountered an island inhabited by a lone Irish hermit.

On this island, whose location is unclear because of the back-and-forth voyages between Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and other places in the North Atlantic, the party encountered an Irish monk who had originally lived in the "monastery of St. Patrick ," presumably a monastic community back in Ireland. He had abandoned his boat, relying on God to nourish him, but told St. Brendan that they would reach their final destination.

Eventually, St. Brendan and his party made landfall in the Land of Promise of the Saints. The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot only dedicates one short chapter to the place, leaving many details that enthusiasts of pre-Columbian transatlantic contact would give an arm and a leg to know.

Nevertheless, chapter 28 says only the following: The crew sailed westward and was eventually enveloped in a great darkness. After a voice told Brendan that his goal lay beyond the darkness, they proceeded until a light shone and revealed a gorgeous land in the throes of autumn. Trees were covered with fruit and the sun never set. It seemed quite fantastical.

For 40 days, the monks crisscrossed the land until, like Barinthus and Meroc, they came to a great river. Then, a "young man of resplendent features" (probably the same as Barinthus saw) appeared to them and said that Christ had wanted St. Brendan to explore "His diverse mysteries in this immense ocean." Once St. Brendan had fulfilled God's will, only then was he allowed to set foot on this promised soil. But like Barinthus and Meroc, the angel told him that his exploration was at an end. He ordered Brendan to take stones and fruits from the land and return to Ireland. The land he had found would only be settled by God's elect once "all nations [were] under [His} subjection."

Quite a journey all in all, but the account creates more questions than it answers starting with the most obvious: was any of this possible?

What does the evidence say?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to prove with current evidence whether St. Brendan really saw what "The Voyage" claimed he saw. But it is possible to extrapolate the plausibility of such a voyage from evidence gleaned from Norse sources and archaeology. First and foremost, there is the "Landnamabok" , a medieval Icelandic work known in English as the "Book of Settlement." Now, the Landnamabok claims that the Norse discovered and settled Iceland. As noted in the Icelandic Times , it was generally accepted that when the Norse arrived in Iceland, they found an island devoid of human habitation – except that the Landnamabok says that this was not the case.

In the prologue of the "Landnamabok," it reads that "before Iceland was peopled from Norway, there were in it men whom the Northmen call 'Papar.' A footnote in the text notes that "papar" means "father" in the sense of a Christian priest, no doubt related to the Latin/Italian "papa" meaning "pope." When the Norse arrived in Iceland, they found "Irish bells, books, and croziers," all signs that Iceland had hosted a population of Irish clergymen before the Norse arrived. These monks had also established themselves in the Faroes and in Orkney – right where St. Brendan landed more than once during his great voyage.

According to Dr. Kristjan Ahronson , there is now archaeological evidence in the form of cross carvings that suggests the "Landnamabok" is accurate. Thus, it seems that Irish clergy was already reaching Iceland well before the 8th century AD, suggesting that St. Brendan could definitely have gotten there in the 6th.

But was it America?

So Irish seafarers were already sailing the North Atlantic before the Norse were, but could they have reached America itself, as it seemed Barinthus, Meroc, and St. Brendan had? Again, there is no direct evidence, but it is possible to extrapolate from Norse sources whether such a journey and others like them could have happened.

Archaeologists now definitively know the Norse reached North America, establishing at least one settlement called L'Anse aux Meadows in Canada. But the "Landnamabok" mentions that the Norse were not alone in America – and it wasn't just the indigenous people they had to deal with. The Landnamabok narrates that one Ari Marsson was swept across the Atlantic to a place called "Ireland the Great." The inhabitants of this place, which was also referred to as "Whitemansland," held Ari in such high esteem that they would not let him return home. This land was located near Vinland, which is generally considered to have been someplace in North America, probably Canada.

Now, interestingly, this tale was originally told by a merchant named Hrafn, who had lived in Limerick, Ireland. He appears to originally have heard the story from local Irishmen. Now, the presence of a "Great Ireland" in America would mean that St. Brendan's voyage was at least plausible. And while it is tempting to write off the "Landnamabok" as a once-off, it is not the only possible mention of America.

The second Irish colony in America

A second potential reference to Irish in North America exists in the Eyrbyggja Saga . Here, a Norseman named Gudleif Gudlaufsson was blown off course while sailing from Ireland to Iceland. He ended up well west of Iceland – more specifically to the southwest, where he was shocked to find a colony of people who the saga claims spoke Irish. The people of this land – wherever it was – seized Gudhleif and his crew. Eventually, however, the chieftain honored Gudhleif and eventually let him return to Ireland.

So what does any of this have to do with St. Brendan? These two stories provide circumstantial evidence that St. Brendan's voyage was, on the face of things, plausible as far as the Norse texts are concerned. It is clear that regardless of whether the Irish made it to America, the Norse certainly believed they did. It also helps confirm parts of Brendan's narrative in relation to the North Atlantic.

So to recapitulate, recall how St. Brendan visited the Faroes, Iceland, and the lone hermit on some island in the Atlantic. It is known that Irish clergy settled Iceland and the Faroes, so Brendan's voyage to these areas, which forms the bulk of "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot," is likely to be true. Then there is the question of the lone hermit. Is it possible that these monks pushed even further West and established communities that have been lost to time in the Western Hemisphere? Given the Norse evidence, it certainly seems plausible. But could these small Irish oxhide boats make it that far?

Tim Severin's voyage

So far, the evidence shows that St. Brendan's voyages were not out of the ordinary in his time. But was a transatlantic voyage to America in a small oxhide boat possible? In 1976, sailor and historian Timothy Severin proved that it indeed was. In his book titled "The Brendan Voyage,"  Severin recounted how he got together a crew and built a boat called a currach (illustrated above), similar to St. Brendan's vessel. Severin's crew retraced St. Brendan's voyage to the best of their ability, sailing from Ireland up to the Faroe Islands. From there, they went to Iceland, down the coast of Greenland , and eventually reached Newfoundland. The boat that people had written off as a rickety deathtrap was actually quite sturdy.

Now, Severin did not prove that St. Brendan made the trip – he only proved it was possible. But he noted in his book that his experiences and observations were similar to St. Brendan's, especially when stripping away mythological aspects. Thus, sea monsters and giant friendly fish made sense when Severin and his crew saw whales come up to play near their boat. The mountains of fire were Icelandic volcanoes. The "pillars of crystal" were likely icebergs.

And what about America? All Severin had to say was that St. Brendan's description of his promised land bore a close resemblance to the northeastern part of America – that is New England and Eastern Canada. Again, there was no way to tell for sure, but despite all the fantastical details, "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot" suddenly made sense.

Making sense of it all

So all in all, how does one make sense of these facts? The reality is that all that is available as evidence are Norse sources, Irish legends and traditions, and the heavily mythologized narrative of St. Brendan's voyage. If the story is true, it would be the oldest documented transatlantic crossing — the second oldest if the story of Meroc that inspired St. Brendan is taken seriously.

Now, the reality is that there is no definitive evidence on the ground that scholars agree upon. Some enthusiasts, including former Harvard professor Barry Fell, as recorded in the Los Angeles Times , have cited a number of carvings as evidence for Irish presence in America, arguing that these carvings represent an Old Irish alphabet called Ogam. Most scholars, on the other hand, discount these theories. Apart from this, there are disparate native traditions such as an alleged Shawnee legend recorded by Danish scholar Carl Rafn, which told of Europeans living in the southeastern United States.

So as it appears, the debate is unlikely to end anytime soon — at least not until some definitive Irish artifact from pre-Colombian America appears. But the legends should not be discounted, either. There is too much Norse evidence for that. But if they are true, it means that Columbus was just following the well-worn path of legendary Irish monks who risked everything to go out and preach the Gospel to all the nations of the world.