by Mark G. Sullivan

Created on: February 28, 2010

While sipping Bushmills 16 year old whiskey, a life sized depiction of St. Brendan hovers over me. The soft sun's glow streaming through the stained glass window gives off the warmth one looks for on a cold blustery day. An old Irish hymn is floating through the air as quiet conversations take place all around. This tranquility will soon give way to the loud raucous evening patrons that fill the bar and restaurant of St. Brendan's Inn each evening. Until then I wonder in silence, did this world traveler, St. Brendan, reach the shores of America long before any other.

Much is written about St. Brendan. However, when it comes to his travels to the Land of Promise, the information is sketchy at best. Certainly, like many, me included, have the inner want that Brendan was the first explorer to step on American soil.

St. Brendan was born near Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland in 484. Bishop Erc baptized him and then a year later was delivered into the care of St. Ita. After reaching the age of six, he returned to Erc to begin his education. It seems after several years Bishop Erc gave into Brendan's desire to travel and study under other holy men.

After St. Brendan’s ordination into the priesthood, an event that seemed predestined from birth, he became a member of a group whose missionary fervor was responsible for converting Ireland to Christianity. Having established this stronghold for Christ, he along with other members of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland set out to do the same in Scotland, Wales and Brittany.

Even though Brendan can be credited with establishing monasteries in Ireland and Scotland, along with the recruitment of many disciples, it seems these clearly documented actions are overshadowed by a written account know as Navigatio Sancti Brendani, the Navigation of St. Brendan.

This document was translated into many different languages as the account was passed on from one generation to the next. No doubt, liberty has been taken with the story for many versions have resulted in depictions that at times vary to the extreme.

Still, the intent of Navigatio Sancti Brendani is to describe a voyage taken by St. Brendan lasting seven years. During this time, it is reported that Brendan discovered a land believed to represent, as we know North America. If true, this would be hundreds of years before the next recorded discovery of the continent.

Many scholars have tried through the years to authenticate this account but have not attained success. Without tangible proof of Brendan's voyage skeptics rule the day.  The noted Alexander von Humbolt, once described by Charles Darwin “as the greatest scientific traveler who ever lived”, maintains the account as geographical legend…and that it can lay no claim to serious consideration from the point of view of geography. 

Alas, the possibility of St. Brendan stepping on American soil prior to others will have to remain folklore. Those of us who have Irish blood running through our veins will  continue to plead our case with anyone within arms reach, especially those enjoying the confines of St. Brendan's Inn.

http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/v onhumboldt.htm

http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/people/saints/brend an.shtm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02758c.htm

Learn more about this author, Mark G. Sullivan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.