Within a short time, no less than seven very holy monks died there, and were buried, while a cemetery was laid out,
enclosing
their sacred relics.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Do not
:
fear, as no evil shall happen to us, but the Lord shall assist our journey. " The monster moved straight forward, to the shore of that Island, known as the Paradise of Birds. There, all were safely landed, and they remained, until the octave of Pentecost. This period having lapsed, their patron, who was present, said to St. Brendan: "Go now on board your vessel, and fill your bottles, from this fountain. " When they embarked, all the birds of that Island, on seeing the father, chorused as if with one voice : " A prosperous voyage be yours, to the Island of your protector, who accompanies you. " There, they take in provisions to serve for forty days.
Setting sail from their island, they now direct their course to the east,'39 for that length of time ; until one evening, a great darkness surrounded them. ''>° They could scarcely see each other, when his heavenly guide said to St. Brendan : " Father, know you, what this dark- ness means? " The saint replied: "I know not, brother. " He then said : " This darkness surrounds that Island you have sought for seven years. Lo ! you shall soon see and enter it. " After an hour had
LegendairedeI'lrlande,"chap,xxiii. , pp. 267 to 269.
'37 See Most Rev. Bishop Patrick Francis Moran's " Acta Sancti Biendani," Naviga- tio S. Brendani, cap. xiii. , pp. 125 to 128.
138 «i pgj triduum auttm reficiendo sine ulla esurie et siti permanserunt omnes leti. " is the account contained in the Legend of
our saint.
«39 " Full forty days o'er the high sea,
With sloping course, right speedily The bark glides on, and now they
come,
So Heaven hath order'd, to the
gloom
That round encloseth Paradise, Hiding it well from mortal eyes And heavily, and lab'ring slow,
Overthattidelessseatheygo; And now that darkness all con-
founds them,
Wrapping them o'er, and perils
round them
So many are, that had not Heaven In mercy timely succour given, They ne'er had pass'd that cloud I
trow. "
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. 815.
'" " Nues grandes tenerge funt,
— Que le sun eir return n'i unt. "
"Lcs \^oyages Mervielleux de Saint Brandan a la Recherche du Paradis Torres- tre," euited by Francisque-Michcl, 11. 1648, 1649, p. 79.
May 1 6. ] LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS.
passed, a resplendent atmosphere surrounded them, while their ship reached the shore. They disembarked, and now they beheld a spacious land, covered with beautiful fruits, as if it were in the autumn season. So long as they re- mained exploring it, no night was there, but the light was as that of the sun, shining at his brightest. '-^"^ P'or forty days they travelled, in that country, nor couldtheyfinditslimit. Atlength,theydiscoveredagreatriver,whichthey could not pass, apparently in the middle of that land. Then, St. Brendan said to his monks : " This river we cannot pass, and the extent of this land we do not know. " While they held a conference together, regarding these mysteries, a vision was vouchsafed them by the Almighty. A youth of noble presence,andexceedinglybeautiful,accostedthem. ^42 Hejoyfullyembraced each of the brothers, and called them by their several names. '''3 He . said : " O brethren, peace to you, and to all who seek peace with Christ. " After- wards, he added : " Blessed are they, O Lord, who dwell in thy house ; for ever and for ever shall they praise thee. " After these words, he addressed St, Brendan : " Behold, the land you have sought, for so long a time. But, you could not find it, at once, because our Lord Jesus Christ desired to show you the different mysteries of this great ocean. Therefore, now, return to the land of your birth, taking with you as many of those fruits and gems, as your ship can hold. ''^'* For, the final days of your journey approach, so that you
''" The objects and imagery here intro- duced must have been drawn originally from some authentic description of a flowery and bright southern land ; otherwise, northern imaginations could hardly conceive those pictures, in the romance, they have so richly unfolded to our fancy. It is somewhat re- markable, that among the North American
Indians, the Shawanoes, an Algonquin tribe, have a tradition regarding a foreign origin and a landing of their ancestors, after a sea-voyage. "It is a prevailing opinion among them, that Florida had been in- habited by white people, who had the use of iron tools,"—Henry Ix. Schoolcraft's " His- torical and Statistical Information, respect- ing the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian I'ribes of the United States," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , C. Traditions of the Ante-Columbian Epoch, p. 19.
'"•-"And now that fair youth leads them on,
Where Paradise in beauty shone, And there they saw the land all
full
Of woods and rivers beautiful
And meadows large besprent with
flowers,
And scented shrubs in fadeless
bowers.
And trees with blossoms fair to
And never shed their leaf the trees,
Nor failed their fruit, and still the breeze
Blew soft, scent-laden from the fields.
Full were the woods of venison ; The rivers of good fish each one. Andothersflowedwithmilkytide (No marvel all things fructified). The earth gave honey, oozing
through
Its pores, in sweet drops like the
dew
And in the mount was golden ore, And gems, and treasure wondrous
store ;
There the clear sun knew no de-
clining.
Nor fog nor mist obscured his
shining
Nor cloud across that sky did stray. Taking the sun's sweet light away ; No cutting blast, nor blighting air, For bitter winds blew never there ; Nor heat, nor frost, nor pain, nor
grief,
Nor hunger, thirst, for swift relief From every ill was there ; plentie. Of every good right easily,
Each had according to his will, And aye they wandered blithely
still.
In large and pleasant pastures
see, Andfruitalsodeliciously Hung from the boughs ;
nor brier,
green,
O ! such as earth hath never seen
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, pp. 815, 816.
nor thorn,
Thistle, nor blighted treeforlorn
With blackefi'd leaf, was there, for Spring
Held aye a year-long blossoming;
;
;;
439
! "
143 «' II arivent, cil les receit,
Tuz les nurnet par lur nun dreit
Puis dulcement les ad baisez E les draguns tuzapaisez. "
;
evident, no theory could really be formed, where the circumstances related appear to be so shadowy and imaginative.
'** To them, we may appropriately attri- bute the sentiments conveyed through some beautiful lines of an Irish poet, J. Boyle O'Reilly, in his poem intituled, "Native
—" Les Voyages Mcrveilleux de
Brandan a la Recherche du Paradis Terres-
tre," edited by Fiancisque-Michel, 11, 1720 Land ": to 1723, p. 83.
144 •' But, when the Lord shall call thee home,
Thou fitted then, a spirit free From weakness and mortality Shalt aye remain, no fleeting guest, But taking here thine endless rest.
And while thou still remain'st be- low.
That heaven's high favour all may know.
Take hence these stones, to teach all eyes
That thou hast been in Paradise. "
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. S16.
''5 According to some versions of the Legend, this river flowed from e. ist to west, and there are interpreters to be found, who will make it identical witli the beautiful Ohio, supposing that Brendan and his com- panions were journeying, at the time, through the interior of the present United . States. From the description given in the text—if the country coukl be (li. -icrmincd as stated more likejy the great Mis>issi|n River should seem a more likely conjecture. But, it is
" I learned from this there is no South- ern land
Can fill with love the hearts of Northern men.
Sick minds need change ; but when in health they stand
'Neath foreign skies, their love flies home again,
And so with me it was: the yearn- ing turned
From laden airs of cinnamon away. And stretched far westward, while
the full heart burned
With love for Ireland, looking on
Cathay. "
'*' See Matthew of Paris "Chronica Major," at a. d. , ui-Xi. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A , vol. i. , p. 246,
148 «i -pi^g 5jj]g jj^g spread, and o'er the sea
They bound ; but swift and blithe, I trow,
Their homeward course. " —Blackwood's " Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. Sl6.
'^» See Most Rev. Patrick Francis
Saint
——
440 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
and your holy brethren shall rest in peace. After a long time, this land shall be an inheritance for your successors, when tribulation shall fall on Chris- tians. The river '•'s which you see divides this Island, and as it now appears to you ripely fruit-bearing, so from earliest times has it been, without shadow or deformity. For the light unfadingly shines in it. " Then, St. Brendan said to that young man : "Tell us, father, if this land shall ever be revealed to men? " He replied : " When the All-powerful Creator shall have drawn all nations to himself, then this land shall be allotted to all his elect. " Then, blessed Brendan, having received the holy youth's benediction, began to re- turnbythecoursehehadcome. Accordingtohisdirection,theytookfrom that land the fruits of its trees, and various sorts of gems.
A longingfor homenowbeganto seize on St. Brendan and his companions. '*^ They had already seen many things, worthy to be related there, after their seven years' voyage,'"*? in quest of the Fortunate Islands. Leaving their patron, who had promised them necessaries, witli that young man, who appeared to them, they went again on board their vessel. They sailed once more through that darkness, which surrounded the Land of Promise. At last, they reached an Island, known as the Paradise of Delights. There, they were entertained for three days, and on leaving, Brendan received a benediction from the Abbot of its monastery. With the Almighty guiding their vessel, in a straight course homewards,'s they rejoiced and gave thanks to the I^ord, for the guidance he had afforded them, and for the wondrous things revealed to them, which
—" —
May i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
441
they had both seen and heard. "t9 After partuig from Paradise, three months elapsed, before the sliores of Ireland appeared to their view. With great joy, they land, and soon a numerous concourse of friends and familiars rushed for- ward to receive them, and to learn all particulars regarding their lengthened and marvellous voyage. '5°
CHAPTER III.
IRISH AND EUROPEAN TRADITIONS REGARDING ST. BRENDAN'S VOYAGE—THE HOLY MAN VISITS ST. ITA—HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY AT INSULA DETRUMMA—OTHER FOUNDATIONS IN KERRY—MIRACLES WROUGHT IN BRYUYS FORT, AND AT INSULA DETRUMMA—ST. BRENDAN SAILS FOR BRITAIN AND BECOMES A DISCIPLE OF ST. GILDAS—HIS RETURN TO IRELAND—HE FOUNDS A NUNNERY FOR HIS SISTER BRIGA, AT ANNAGHDOWN—HE BUILDS A MONASTERY, AT INIS MAC HUA CUIN ST. FURSliY BECOMES HIS DISCIPLE— RECORDED MIRACLES—FOUNDATION OF CLON- FERT—RESIDENCE OF ST. BRENDAN IN THAT PLACE.
Soon were those wonders, relating to his voyage—the earliest we believe on record from Europe to America ' —in circulation, among the Irish people. To St. Brendan, it is thought, the merit of originating that tedious and adven- turous effort to explore the distant land belongs, and to cliristianize the people of this distant region appears to have been his chief object. '^
Even then, imagination or conjecture had correctly anticipated the actual proof only furnished in our own century and by a distinguished Irish navigator 3
that the great western hemisphere was one vast Island. There seems to be little doubt, that the trans-Atlantic adventures of our saint were only verbally related by himself, and by his fellow-voyagers, while popular rumour added
Moran's "Acta Sancti Brendani," Naviga- remote, yet appears to have had some tio Sancti Brendani, cap. xiv. , pp. 12S toi3i. vague information about some far off and '^° St. Brendan's old metrical Legend undiscovered land, when he says, "There
thus relates :
" They leap ashore, and soon about
Gathers a large and marvelling route, Gazing amazed at nieu whose eyes Had viewed Adamah's Paradise.
All glad to see them, glad to ht- ar Their marvels, while from far and
near
Friends and relations flock, and
they,
Who mourned St. Brandan many a
day,
Deemnig him lost, his convent feres, Now welcome him with joyful tears, And joyfully they gathered round Well pleased that what he'd sought
he found,
And many wondrous things he taught, And far and near his aid was sought.
shall come a time in later years, when the oceans shall relax their chains, and a vast continent appear, and a pilot shall find new worlds, and Thule shall be no longer earth's bounds,"
^ In a work of great authority, we read : " Among the Shawanese Indians, who some years ago emigrated from Florida, and are now settled in Ohio, there is preserved a tra- dition which seems of importance here, viz. : that Florida was once inhabited by white people who were in possession of iron im- plements. Judging from the ancient ac- counts, this must have been an Irish Chris- tian people, who previous to the year 1000 were settled in this region. "—" Antiquitates Americans sive Scriptores Septentrionales Rerum ante-Columbianarum in America," edited by C. C. Rafn, and published at Copenhagen in 1837. See the English Dis- quisition prefixed : " America discovered by
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine,"
vol. xxxix. . No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- the Scandinavians in the Tenth Century,"
Norman Trouveres, p. S16.
Chapter hi. — ' In the beginning of
p. xxxvii.
3 Sir Leopold M'Clintock, who first prac-
the Christian era, the Roman philosopher, Seneca, believing that Thule was the land
in Northern Europe, then deemed most sea.
tically resolved the mysteries, and overcame the difficulties, of the north-west passage by
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [AIay i6.
some undesirable descriptions to heighten the effect, and these alone appear to have been committed to writing. It must, indeed, be admitted, that there are most prodigious fables, in the narrative of St. Brendan's seven years' voy- age to the Western Land. t Yet, this had been a received tradition not alone in Ireland and in the British Isles ; but, also, in France, in the Netherlands, inItaly,inGermany,andinSpain,longbeforethebirthofColumbus. The early and mediaeval compilers of maps 5 had placed the land of St. Barind,^ or of St. Borondon, or of St. Brendan, out on the waste of waters, and to the west of Europe. After his vessel sailed, under every gloom of disappointment, this narrative probably fired the imagination, and sustained the hopes of Colum- bus. 7 Even, in comparatively modern times when the Islands in the Atlantic were ceded by treaty to Portugal, an imaginary and unknown Island of St. Brendan, when it should be discovered, was excepted from that cession. ^
To the friend and nurse of his youth, St. Ita—as natural to suppose—St. Brendan repaired, soon after his return from the Promised Land, and she re- ceived him with great joy, while he failed not to greatly interest her and thecom- muity under her charge, by relating the wonders he had witnessed during that voyage. Mutually saluting and giving benedictions, both these saints parted. Then, St. Brendan went to a place, in Latin called Insula Detrumma—its Irish name being Inis-da-Dromand 9—and this was an Island,'° situated in that ex- pansionoftheRiverShannon,whichisattheestuaryoftheRiverFergus. It lay between the territories of Corcubayscynn " and Ciarraigy,'^ while it was in the northern part of the sea, named Luymuidh. 's Then he established a re- nowned monastery.
Within a short time, no less than seven very holy monks died there, and were buried, while a cemetery was laid out, enclosing their sacred relics. About that time, also, fifty rivers were deserted by fish ; but, when St. Brendan had blessed them, thenceforward they abounded with fishes. ''*
According to the people, Hving in the remote parts of Dingle pro- montory, some religious connexion existed between Kilmalchedar, and St. Brandon's establishment on the mountain called after him. A track is shown, which may be regarded as the via sacra, or " pathway of the saints,"'^ extend-
442
< See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia- rum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 494.
5 Paulo Toscannelli, of P'lorence, made a map for Columbus, before he embarked on his first voyage in 1492. On it, the cus- tomary space was occupied by the ima- ginary land of Irish tradition.
* In his usual way of compilation, Thomas
Dempster has allusion to Baiinthus, Con-
fessor, son of Mooh, the master and teacher
of St. Brendan, and as he thought also an
abbot, who wrote a book, " De Paradiso
Terrestri,adBrcndanumdiscipulum. " He oftheDanes,GaedhilwiththeGaill,Intro- lived in the year 600, or thereabouts, and we duction, p. cxxxv. , n. 3, and p. 103.
" Or Corca-Bhaiscinn, a territory of an- linus, lib. v. , Catalogi, cap. cxvii. See cient Thomond.
are told, he is mentioned by Petrus Equi-
"Historia Ecclesiastica Geniis Scotorum," lomus i. , lib. ii. , num. 158, pp. 89, 90.
7 It is somewhat remarkable, that on
Friday, August 21, 1492, Christopher Colum-
bus sailed on his great voyage of discovery.
On Friday, October 12, 1493, 'i*-' f'^st dis-
covered land. On Friday, January 4, 1493,
he sailed on his return to Spain. whiLh if he
had not reached in safety the hapjiy result
would never have been known, that led to
the settlement of a vast continent. On called the "saints' road. " See Charles Friday, March 15, 1493, he arrived at Palos Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the
in safety. Or. Friday, November 22, 1493, he arrived at Hispaniola, on his second yoy- age to America. On Friday, Januaiy 13, 1494, he, though unknown to himself, dis- covered the Continent of America,
^ See Isaac Butt's " Irish Federalism Its Meaning, its Objects, and its Hopes," chap, ix. , n. p. 59. Dublin, 1S74, 8vo.
5 It isnow known as Inishdadroum, mean- ing "the Island of the two hills. "
'° See Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd's CojatiIi ^deroheL He 5v\llAibh, the War
"Or Cianaighe-Luachra, the ancient name for Kerry, south of the Shannon.
'^ It is probable, the true reading should be Luimneach, the ancient name for Lime- rick.
'' See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti Brcndani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xii. , pp. 10, il.
'5 Another celebrated pass, in the southern part of the barony of Corck. aguiny, was also
:
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
ingfromKilmalchedarto St. Brendan's elevated oratory. Within tliree quarters of a mile from Mount St. Brandon summit, there is a large mound of stones, called"Lachthannan-cilireach,"or"thePilgrim'scairn. " Thatpathwayfor the traveller is bounded by large stones, fixed firmly in the ground, to define it, and to direct the pilgrim on his way, in the event of fogs or mists rising over the mountain. There is a pretty little plateau,^^ forming a few acres of nice green soil, situated at that bank of the sen, on the shoulder of Brandon Bay, and lyingbeneathaprecipitouselevation,aboutonethousandfeethigh. There,may still be seen various monastic remains, which, however, are of a comparatively modernerection. Localtraditionhasalwaysmaintained,thattheholyvoyager St. Brendan, filled with sublime aspirations, lived on that high mountain over the Atlantic, in the constant practice of prayer and of devout contemplation. Formerly, a church of large dimensions is said to have been there, and that it had been replaced, by a small cell-like oratory. ^7 This is thought to have been erected, by those wlio came after St. Brandon, and to have been of com- paratively modern erection. '^ How long St. Brendan lived on Brandon Mountain is not known, either from history or from local tradition ; nor can it well be determined, to what particular epoch of his life, it should be refer- red. Notwithstanding, the opinion is sufficiently probable, that he was a resident of this locality, before he departed on his expedition to the Land of Promise; and,itseemstobeprettycertain,thathelivedthere,beforeheset out for Brittany, and before he founded the monastery, at Clonfert. '^
It is generally supposed, also, that after St. Brendan's return from the Pro- mised Land to Ireland, he selected Ardfert, for the foundation of a monastery. Thither, a great number of holy and fervent disciples flocked. He lived and laboured among them, under the special Rule he had established; while their agriculturalskillandtoilsecuredthemacommonsustenance. ^" Alocaltra- dition prevails, that St. Brendan had wished to build a church, at a place, called Cahirfert, and that he had laid down lines, for the purpose of tracing out the plan. But, a bird, taking up the lines in his bill, flew away to the pre- sent site of Ardfert, where he deposited them. This caused Brendan to change his purpose, and to select the latter place for his erection. ^' Near the ancient church and monastery of Ardfert,^^ there is a clear spring of water, called Brandon well, which is reputed to be holy. A townland there is also called Brandonwell,*3 in memory of the patron saint. While St. Brendan journeyed, on a certain occasion, through that plain and territory of Munster, known as Ara-Cliath,^4 or Cliach, situated in the present county of Limerick, he came
May 1 6. ]
443
to a celebrated fort,^5 called Bri-uys.
County of Kerry, " chap, vii. , p. 196.
'^ At present, this spot is called "Frihir na manach," i. e. , "the good land of the
monks. "
'7 At the head of this may be seen the
rude stone altar, with its wooden cross
which, together with the upper portion of associations are well described, in Miss the altar, was erected by Very Rev. Timothy Cusack's "History of the Kingdom of Canon Brosnan, in 1867. See James J. Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 37310385.
Long's " Mount Saint Brandon Religious ^3 It is in the parish of Ardfert, and Celebration : its Scenery, Antiquities, and barony of Clanmaurice. It is shown, on History of West Kerry," Preface, Tralee,
1868, small 4to.
'^ Certain excavations, recently made, on the summit of Mount St. Branclon, are re- lied on for this statement.
'9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. vii. , nn. 103. 106, 109, pp. 34, 35.
^°See Sir James Ware, " De Hibernia et
There he remained for a night. That
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones, " cap. xxvi. , p. 215.
''^ The foregoing is the story, as related to the writer, by Rev. Denis O'Donoghoe, P. P. , of Ardfert.
^"^ Here St. Aibhe and St. Fintan were born, as also Ailinne, the mother of St. Fintan, who was a native of Grene-Cliath.
^s In the Life of St. Brendan, it is said to have been "contra montem poroi si- turn. "
°* The writer of Vita S. Brendani adds,
^^ Ardfert, its antiquities, and its historic
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 20.
444
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
fort had been remarkable for nurturing fleas, which abounded in numbers almost incredible. There, the hospitable denizens made complaint about such a nuisance to the saint, who prayed that the pest might be removed, on ac- count of their benignity. No sooner had he offered that petition, than the troublesome insects began to disappear ; while the following day, not even one of them remained. ^^
As the holy youth had received his early training from St. Ita, it is said, during the years of early life, that he made a penitential pilgrimage to Brittany, and at her request. ^7 The following story is thought to have furnished the occa- sion, and to have supplied the motive. One day, St, Brendan sailed to the Island De-Trumma, and he left a youth, on the beach, to guard the vessel. However, the tide began to rise, and the brother of that young man cried out to St. Brendan: "O holy father, the sea rises very high, drawing away the boat,andmybrothershallbesubmergedanddrowned. " St. Brendanthen spoke, as if irritated : " Lovest thou him more that I do } If you compassion- ate his misfortune, therefore, go and die for his sake. " Instantly, the obedient brother went to aid his kinsman; but, the sea carried him into the abyss, where he perish ed. ^^ His brother, however, was saved. Notwithstanding, the death of him, who was buried beneath the waves, caused poignant regret to St. Brendan, as he had advised that course, which caused him to be drowned. He consulted certain holy men, on what should now be done, and they advised him to seek proper counsel from his nurse St. Ita, who was also a prophetess. This he did, and she advised him, to make a pilgrimage, as an atonement for that death of which he had been the occasion, and afterwards to preach among men, so that he might draw many souls to Christ. In obedience to her, the holy man prepared for his pilgrimage, and he sailed for Britain. According to some writers, St. Brendan went over to Wales, and there he passed some time, under the instruction of a holy senior and a wise man, named St. Gildas. *9
We are told, moreover, that Brendan hved for several years, in the Abbey of Llancarven,3°in Glamorganshire, while his reputation had spread far and near. Before the arrival of our saint, Gildas had intimation of his coming, and had in- structed his disciples to prepare a supper for the holy guests and labourers in Christ'svineyard,whowereexpectedtoarriveonthatveryday. Healsode- clared, that his monks should see in the flesh, one like to the Apostle St. Peter, who was a zealous and laborious worker, as also, one who should declare, for what crime—already pardoned by the Almighty—he had come there on a pil- grimage. He then told the janitor of their monastery, that he should close the gate, with iron bolts, until through Brendan's merits, the Almighty would open them. At that time, winter set in. Three years had already elapsed, beforeSt. Brendan'spilgrimagewasfinished. Whenhearrivedatthemonas- tery of St. Gildas, snow covered the ground; but, none fell on St. Brendan nor on his disciples, who were waiting before the monastery gate. The ostiarius who was inside, on seeing this, invited them to approach, and he declared, that throughtheirmerits,thegateshouldopen. Then,St. Brendancalledhisdis-
pel ab illo ilie usque liodie polices nullo °9 His feast has been assigned, to the 29th modo in ipso castro vivunt," cap. xiii. , pp. of January. See his Life at that date, in this II, 12. See Most Rev. Patrick Francis work, vol. i. , Art. i.
Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani. "
'7 . See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's "His-
tory of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, iii. ,
p_ ^1^
"* The author of the Life adds : " priori
^° Although IJssher asserts, that St. Bren- dan succeeded Cadoc, as abbot of this place ; yet this cannot be leconcikd with Cadoc's transactions, nor with the statements of Ussher himself, that Ellenius was Cadoc's successor. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Eccle-
verojuveni, qermano illius, erat quasi murus
sicut et Moysi. "—Cap. xiv. , p. 12. See Most siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti x. , sect, vii. , n. 102, p. 33.
Brendani. "
^' The feast of this saint has been assigned,
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
ciple, St. Talmach,3' telling him to go and open the door in Chiisi's name. Immediately, his hand was extended for the purpose, when the locks within disappeared ; and going, in like manner to the teampiill^ they found it closed against them.
:
fear, as no evil shall happen to us, but the Lord shall assist our journey. " The monster moved straight forward, to the shore of that Island, known as the Paradise of Birds. There, all were safely landed, and they remained, until the octave of Pentecost. This period having lapsed, their patron, who was present, said to St. Brendan: "Go now on board your vessel, and fill your bottles, from this fountain. " When they embarked, all the birds of that Island, on seeing the father, chorused as if with one voice : " A prosperous voyage be yours, to the Island of your protector, who accompanies you. " There, they take in provisions to serve for forty days.
Setting sail from their island, they now direct their course to the east,'39 for that length of time ; until one evening, a great darkness surrounded them. ''>° They could scarcely see each other, when his heavenly guide said to St. Brendan : " Father, know you, what this dark- ness means? " The saint replied: "I know not, brother. " He then said : " This darkness surrounds that Island you have sought for seven years. Lo ! you shall soon see and enter it. " After an hour had
LegendairedeI'lrlande,"chap,xxiii. , pp. 267 to 269.
'37 See Most Rev. Bishop Patrick Francis Moran's " Acta Sancti Biendani," Naviga- tio S. Brendani, cap. xiii. , pp. 125 to 128.
138 «i pgj triduum auttm reficiendo sine ulla esurie et siti permanserunt omnes leti. " is the account contained in the Legend of
our saint.
«39 " Full forty days o'er the high sea,
With sloping course, right speedily The bark glides on, and now they
come,
So Heaven hath order'd, to the
gloom
That round encloseth Paradise, Hiding it well from mortal eyes And heavily, and lab'ring slow,
Overthattidelessseatheygo; And now that darkness all con-
founds them,
Wrapping them o'er, and perils
round them
So many are, that had not Heaven In mercy timely succour given, They ne'er had pass'd that cloud I
trow. "
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. 815.
'" " Nues grandes tenerge funt,
— Que le sun eir return n'i unt. "
"Lcs \^oyages Mervielleux de Saint Brandan a la Recherche du Paradis Torres- tre," euited by Francisque-Michcl, 11. 1648, 1649, p. 79.
May 1 6. ] LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS.
passed, a resplendent atmosphere surrounded them, while their ship reached the shore. They disembarked, and now they beheld a spacious land, covered with beautiful fruits, as if it were in the autumn season. So long as they re- mained exploring it, no night was there, but the light was as that of the sun, shining at his brightest. '-^"^ P'or forty days they travelled, in that country, nor couldtheyfinditslimit. Atlength,theydiscoveredagreatriver,whichthey could not pass, apparently in the middle of that land. Then, St. Brendan said to his monks : " This river we cannot pass, and the extent of this land we do not know. " While they held a conference together, regarding these mysteries, a vision was vouchsafed them by the Almighty. A youth of noble presence,andexceedinglybeautiful,accostedthem. ^42 Hejoyfullyembraced each of the brothers, and called them by their several names. '''3 He . said : " O brethren, peace to you, and to all who seek peace with Christ. " After- wards, he added : " Blessed are they, O Lord, who dwell in thy house ; for ever and for ever shall they praise thee. " After these words, he addressed St, Brendan : " Behold, the land you have sought, for so long a time. But, you could not find it, at once, because our Lord Jesus Christ desired to show you the different mysteries of this great ocean. Therefore, now, return to the land of your birth, taking with you as many of those fruits and gems, as your ship can hold. ''^'* For, the final days of your journey approach, so that you
''" The objects and imagery here intro- duced must have been drawn originally from some authentic description of a flowery and bright southern land ; otherwise, northern imaginations could hardly conceive those pictures, in the romance, they have so richly unfolded to our fancy. It is somewhat re- markable, that among the North American
Indians, the Shawanoes, an Algonquin tribe, have a tradition regarding a foreign origin and a landing of their ancestors, after a sea-voyage. "It is a prevailing opinion among them, that Florida had been in- habited by white people, who had the use of iron tools,"—Henry Ix. Schoolcraft's " His- torical and Statistical Information, respect- ing the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian I'ribes of the United States," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , C. Traditions of the Ante-Columbian Epoch, p. 19.
'"•-"And now that fair youth leads them on,
Where Paradise in beauty shone, And there they saw the land all
full
Of woods and rivers beautiful
And meadows large besprent with
flowers,
And scented shrubs in fadeless
bowers.
And trees with blossoms fair to
And never shed their leaf the trees,
Nor failed their fruit, and still the breeze
Blew soft, scent-laden from the fields.
Full were the woods of venison ; The rivers of good fish each one. Andothersflowedwithmilkytide (No marvel all things fructified). The earth gave honey, oozing
through
Its pores, in sweet drops like the
dew
And in the mount was golden ore, And gems, and treasure wondrous
store ;
There the clear sun knew no de-
clining.
Nor fog nor mist obscured his
shining
Nor cloud across that sky did stray. Taking the sun's sweet light away ; No cutting blast, nor blighting air, For bitter winds blew never there ; Nor heat, nor frost, nor pain, nor
grief,
Nor hunger, thirst, for swift relief From every ill was there ; plentie. Of every good right easily,
Each had according to his will, And aye they wandered blithely
still.
In large and pleasant pastures
see, Andfruitalsodeliciously Hung from the boughs ;
nor brier,
green,
O ! such as earth hath never seen
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, pp. 815, 816.
nor thorn,
Thistle, nor blighted treeforlorn
With blackefi'd leaf, was there, for Spring
Held aye a year-long blossoming;
;
;;
439
! "
143 «' II arivent, cil les receit,
Tuz les nurnet par lur nun dreit
Puis dulcement les ad baisez E les draguns tuzapaisez. "
;
evident, no theory could really be formed, where the circumstances related appear to be so shadowy and imaginative.
'** To them, we may appropriately attri- bute the sentiments conveyed through some beautiful lines of an Irish poet, J. Boyle O'Reilly, in his poem intituled, "Native
—" Les Voyages Mcrveilleux de
Brandan a la Recherche du Paradis Terres-
tre," edited by Fiancisque-Michel, 11, 1720 Land ": to 1723, p. 83.
144 •' But, when the Lord shall call thee home,
Thou fitted then, a spirit free From weakness and mortality Shalt aye remain, no fleeting guest, But taking here thine endless rest.
And while thou still remain'st be- low.
That heaven's high favour all may know.
Take hence these stones, to teach all eyes
That thou hast been in Paradise. "
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. S16.
''5 According to some versions of the Legend, this river flowed from e. ist to west, and there are interpreters to be found, who will make it identical witli the beautiful Ohio, supposing that Brendan and his com- panions were journeying, at the time, through the interior of the present United . States. From the description given in the text—if the country coukl be (li. -icrmincd as stated more likejy the great Mis>issi|n River should seem a more likely conjecture. But, it is
" I learned from this there is no South- ern land
Can fill with love the hearts of Northern men.
Sick minds need change ; but when in health they stand
'Neath foreign skies, their love flies home again,
And so with me it was: the yearn- ing turned
From laden airs of cinnamon away. And stretched far westward, while
the full heart burned
With love for Ireland, looking on
Cathay. "
'*' See Matthew of Paris "Chronica Major," at a. d. , ui-Xi. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A , vol. i. , p. 246,
148 «i -pi^g 5jj]g jj^g spread, and o'er the sea
They bound ; but swift and blithe, I trow,
Their homeward course. " —Blackwood's " Edinburgh Magazine," vol. xxxix. , No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- Norman Trouveres, p. Sl6.
'^» See Most Rev. Patrick Francis
Saint
——
440 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
and your holy brethren shall rest in peace. After a long time, this land shall be an inheritance for your successors, when tribulation shall fall on Chris- tians. The river '•'s which you see divides this Island, and as it now appears to you ripely fruit-bearing, so from earliest times has it been, without shadow or deformity. For the light unfadingly shines in it. " Then, St. Brendan said to that young man : "Tell us, father, if this land shall ever be revealed to men? " He replied : " When the All-powerful Creator shall have drawn all nations to himself, then this land shall be allotted to all his elect. " Then, blessed Brendan, having received the holy youth's benediction, began to re- turnbythecoursehehadcome. Accordingtohisdirection,theytookfrom that land the fruits of its trees, and various sorts of gems.
A longingfor homenowbeganto seize on St. Brendan and his companions. '*^ They had already seen many things, worthy to be related there, after their seven years' voyage,'"*? in quest of the Fortunate Islands. Leaving their patron, who had promised them necessaries, witli that young man, who appeared to them, they went again on board their vessel. They sailed once more through that darkness, which surrounded the Land of Promise. At last, they reached an Island, known as the Paradise of Delights. There, they were entertained for three days, and on leaving, Brendan received a benediction from the Abbot of its monastery. With the Almighty guiding their vessel, in a straight course homewards,'s they rejoiced and gave thanks to the I^ord, for the guidance he had afforded them, and for the wondrous things revealed to them, which
—" —
May i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
441
they had both seen and heard. "t9 After partuig from Paradise, three months elapsed, before the sliores of Ireland appeared to their view. With great joy, they land, and soon a numerous concourse of friends and familiars rushed for- ward to receive them, and to learn all particulars regarding their lengthened and marvellous voyage. '5°
CHAPTER III.
IRISH AND EUROPEAN TRADITIONS REGARDING ST. BRENDAN'S VOYAGE—THE HOLY MAN VISITS ST. ITA—HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY AT INSULA DETRUMMA—OTHER FOUNDATIONS IN KERRY—MIRACLES WROUGHT IN BRYUYS FORT, AND AT INSULA DETRUMMA—ST. BRENDAN SAILS FOR BRITAIN AND BECOMES A DISCIPLE OF ST. GILDAS—HIS RETURN TO IRELAND—HE FOUNDS A NUNNERY FOR HIS SISTER BRIGA, AT ANNAGHDOWN—HE BUILDS A MONASTERY, AT INIS MAC HUA CUIN ST. FURSliY BECOMES HIS DISCIPLE— RECORDED MIRACLES—FOUNDATION OF CLON- FERT—RESIDENCE OF ST. BRENDAN IN THAT PLACE.
Soon were those wonders, relating to his voyage—the earliest we believe on record from Europe to America ' —in circulation, among the Irish people. To St. Brendan, it is thought, the merit of originating that tedious and adven- turous effort to explore the distant land belongs, and to cliristianize the people of this distant region appears to have been his chief object. '^
Even then, imagination or conjecture had correctly anticipated the actual proof only furnished in our own century and by a distinguished Irish navigator 3
that the great western hemisphere was one vast Island. There seems to be little doubt, that the trans-Atlantic adventures of our saint were only verbally related by himself, and by his fellow-voyagers, while popular rumour added
Moran's "Acta Sancti Brendani," Naviga- remote, yet appears to have had some tio Sancti Brendani, cap. xiv. , pp. 12S toi3i. vague information about some far off and '^° St. Brendan's old metrical Legend undiscovered land, when he says, "There
thus relates :
" They leap ashore, and soon about
Gathers a large and marvelling route, Gazing amazed at nieu whose eyes Had viewed Adamah's Paradise.
All glad to see them, glad to ht- ar Their marvels, while from far and
near
Friends and relations flock, and
they,
Who mourned St. Brandan many a
day,
Deemnig him lost, his convent feres, Now welcome him with joyful tears, And joyfully they gathered round Well pleased that what he'd sought
he found,
And many wondrous things he taught, And far and near his aid was sought.
shall come a time in later years, when the oceans shall relax their chains, and a vast continent appear, and a pilot shall find new worlds, and Thule shall be no longer earth's bounds,"
^ In a work of great authority, we read : " Among the Shawanese Indians, who some years ago emigrated from Florida, and are now settled in Ohio, there is preserved a tra- dition which seems of importance here, viz. : that Florida was once inhabited by white people who were in possession of iron im- plements. Judging from the ancient ac- counts, this must have been an Irish Chris- tian people, who previous to the year 1000 were settled in this region. "—" Antiquitates Americans sive Scriptores Septentrionales Rerum ante-Columbianarum in America," edited by C. C. Rafn, and published at Copenhagen in 1837. See the English Dis- quisition prefixed : " America discovered by
—Blackwood's "Edinburgh Magazine,"
vol. xxxix. . No. ccxlviii. The Anglo- the Scandinavians in the Tenth Century,"
Norman Trouveres, p. S16.
Chapter hi. — ' In the beginning of
p. xxxvii.
3 Sir Leopold M'Clintock, who first prac-
the Christian era, the Roman philosopher, Seneca, believing that Thule was the land
in Northern Europe, then deemed most sea.
tically resolved the mysteries, and overcame the difficulties, of the north-west passage by
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [AIay i6.
some undesirable descriptions to heighten the effect, and these alone appear to have been committed to writing. It must, indeed, be admitted, that there are most prodigious fables, in the narrative of St. Brendan's seven years' voy- age to the Western Land. t Yet, this had been a received tradition not alone in Ireland and in the British Isles ; but, also, in France, in the Netherlands, inItaly,inGermany,andinSpain,longbeforethebirthofColumbus. The early and mediaeval compilers of maps 5 had placed the land of St. Barind,^ or of St. Borondon, or of St. Brendan, out on the waste of waters, and to the west of Europe. After his vessel sailed, under every gloom of disappointment, this narrative probably fired the imagination, and sustained the hopes of Colum- bus. 7 Even, in comparatively modern times when the Islands in the Atlantic were ceded by treaty to Portugal, an imaginary and unknown Island of St. Brendan, when it should be discovered, was excepted from that cession. ^
To the friend and nurse of his youth, St. Ita—as natural to suppose—St. Brendan repaired, soon after his return from the Promised Land, and she re- ceived him with great joy, while he failed not to greatly interest her and thecom- muity under her charge, by relating the wonders he had witnessed during that voyage. Mutually saluting and giving benedictions, both these saints parted. Then, St. Brendan went to a place, in Latin called Insula Detrumma—its Irish name being Inis-da-Dromand 9—and this was an Island,'° situated in that ex- pansionoftheRiverShannon,whichisattheestuaryoftheRiverFergus. It lay between the territories of Corcubayscynn " and Ciarraigy,'^ while it was in the northern part of the sea, named Luymuidh. 's Then he established a re- nowned monastery.
Within a short time, no less than seven very holy monks died there, and were buried, while a cemetery was laid out, enclosing their sacred relics. About that time, also, fifty rivers were deserted by fish ; but, when St. Brendan had blessed them, thenceforward they abounded with fishes. ''*
According to the people, Hving in the remote parts of Dingle pro- montory, some religious connexion existed between Kilmalchedar, and St. Brandon's establishment on the mountain called after him. A track is shown, which may be regarded as the via sacra, or " pathway of the saints,"'^ extend-
442
< See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia- rum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 494.
5 Paulo Toscannelli, of P'lorence, made a map for Columbus, before he embarked on his first voyage in 1492. On it, the cus- tomary space was occupied by the ima- ginary land of Irish tradition.
* In his usual way of compilation, Thomas
Dempster has allusion to Baiinthus, Con-
fessor, son of Mooh, the master and teacher
of St. Brendan, and as he thought also an
abbot, who wrote a book, " De Paradiso
Terrestri,adBrcndanumdiscipulum. " He oftheDanes,GaedhilwiththeGaill,Intro- lived in the year 600, or thereabouts, and we duction, p. cxxxv. , n. 3, and p. 103.
" Or Corca-Bhaiscinn, a territory of an- linus, lib. v. , Catalogi, cap. cxvii. See cient Thomond.
are told, he is mentioned by Petrus Equi-
"Historia Ecclesiastica Geniis Scotorum," lomus i. , lib. ii. , num. 158, pp. 89, 90.
7 It is somewhat remarkable, that on
Friday, August 21, 1492, Christopher Colum-
bus sailed on his great voyage of discovery.
On Friday, October 12, 1493, 'i*-' f'^st dis-
covered land. On Friday, January 4, 1493,
he sailed on his return to Spain. whiLh if he
had not reached in safety the hapjiy result
would never have been known, that led to
the settlement of a vast continent. On called the "saints' road. " See Charles Friday, March 15, 1493, he arrived at Palos Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the
in safety. Or. Friday, November 22, 1493, he arrived at Hispaniola, on his second yoy- age to America. On Friday, Januaiy 13, 1494, he, though unknown to himself, dis- covered the Continent of America,
^ See Isaac Butt's " Irish Federalism Its Meaning, its Objects, and its Hopes," chap, ix. , n. p. 59. Dublin, 1S74, 8vo.
5 It isnow known as Inishdadroum, mean- ing "the Island of the two hills. "
'° See Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd's CojatiIi ^deroheL He 5v\llAibh, the War
"Or Cianaighe-Luachra, the ancient name for Kerry, south of the Shannon.
'^ It is probable, the true reading should be Luimneach, the ancient name for Lime- rick.
'' See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti Brcndani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xii. , pp. 10, il.
'5 Another celebrated pass, in the southern part of the barony of Corck. aguiny, was also
:
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
ingfromKilmalchedarto St. Brendan's elevated oratory. Within tliree quarters of a mile from Mount St. Brandon summit, there is a large mound of stones, called"Lachthannan-cilireach,"or"thePilgrim'scairn. " Thatpathwayfor the traveller is bounded by large stones, fixed firmly in the ground, to define it, and to direct the pilgrim on his way, in the event of fogs or mists rising over the mountain. There is a pretty little plateau,^^ forming a few acres of nice green soil, situated at that bank of the sen, on the shoulder of Brandon Bay, and lyingbeneathaprecipitouselevation,aboutonethousandfeethigh. There,may still be seen various monastic remains, which, however, are of a comparatively modernerection. Localtraditionhasalwaysmaintained,thattheholyvoyager St. Brendan, filled with sublime aspirations, lived on that high mountain over the Atlantic, in the constant practice of prayer and of devout contemplation. Formerly, a church of large dimensions is said to have been there, and that it had been replaced, by a small cell-like oratory. ^7 This is thought to have been erected, by those wlio came after St. Brandon, and to have been of com- paratively modern erection. '^ How long St. Brendan lived on Brandon Mountain is not known, either from history or from local tradition ; nor can it well be determined, to what particular epoch of his life, it should be refer- red. Notwithstanding, the opinion is sufficiently probable, that he was a resident of this locality, before he departed on his expedition to the Land of Promise; and,itseemstobeprettycertain,thathelivedthere,beforeheset out for Brittany, and before he founded the monastery, at Clonfert. '^
It is generally supposed, also, that after St. Brendan's return from the Pro- mised Land to Ireland, he selected Ardfert, for the foundation of a monastery. Thither, a great number of holy and fervent disciples flocked. He lived and laboured among them, under the special Rule he had established; while their agriculturalskillandtoilsecuredthemacommonsustenance. ^" Alocaltra- dition prevails, that St. Brendan had wished to build a church, at a place, called Cahirfert, and that he had laid down lines, for the purpose of tracing out the plan. But, a bird, taking up the lines in his bill, flew away to the pre- sent site of Ardfert, where he deposited them. This caused Brendan to change his purpose, and to select the latter place for his erection. ^' Near the ancient church and monastery of Ardfert,^^ there is a clear spring of water, called Brandon well, which is reputed to be holy. A townland there is also called Brandonwell,*3 in memory of the patron saint. While St. Brendan journeyed, on a certain occasion, through that plain and territory of Munster, known as Ara-Cliath,^4 or Cliach, situated in the present county of Limerick, he came
May 1 6. ]
443
to a celebrated fort,^5 called Bri-uys.
County of Kerry, " chap, vii. , p. 196.
'^ At present, this spot is called "Frihir na manach," i. e. , "the good land of the
monks. "
'7 At the head of this may be seen the
rude stone altar, with its wooden cross
which, together with the upper portion of associations are well described, in Miss the altar, was erected by Very Rev. Timothy Cusack's "History of the Kingdom of Canon Brosnan, in 1867. See James J. Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 37310385.
Long's " Mount Saint Brandon Religious ^3 It is in the parish of Ardfert, and Celebration : its Scenery, Antiquities, and barony of Clanmaurice. It is shown, on History of West Kerry," Preface, Tralee,
1868, small 4to.
'^ Certain excavations, recently made, on the summit of Mount St. Branclon, are re- lied on for this statement.
'9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. vii. , nn. 103. 106, 109, pp. 34, 35.
^°See Sir James Ware, " De Hibernia et
There he remained for a night. That
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones, " cap. xxvi. , p. 215.
''^ The foregoing is the story, as related to the writer, by Rev. Denis O'Donoghoe, P. P. , of Ardfert.
^"^ Here St. Aibhe and St. Fintan were born, as also Ailinne, the mother of St. Fintan, who was a native of Grene-Cliath.
^s In the Life of St. Brendan, it is said to have been "contra montem poroi si- turn. "
°* The writer of Vita S. Brendani adds,
^^ Ardfert, its antiquities, and its historic
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 20.
444
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
fort had been remarkable for nurturing fleas, which abounded in numbers almost incredible. There, the hospitable denizens made complaint about such a nuisance to the saint, who prayed that the pest might be removed, on ac- count of their benignity. No sooner had he offered that petition, than the troublesome insects began to disappear ; while the following day, not even one of them remained. ^^
As the holy youth had received his early training from St. Ita, it is said, during the years of early life, that he made a penitential pilgrimage to Brittany, and at her request. ^7 The following story is thought to have furnished the occa- sion, and to have supplied the motive. One day, St, Brendan sailed to the Island De-Trumma, and he left a youth, on the beach, to guard the vessel. However, the tide began to rise, and the brother of that young man cried out to St. Brendan: "O holy father, the sea rises very high, drawing away the boat,andmybrothershallbesubmergedanddrowned. " St. Brendanthen spoke, as if irritated : " Lovest thou him more that I do } If you compassion- ate his misfortune, therefore, go and die for his sake. " Instantly, the obedient brother went to aid his kinsman; but, the sea carried him into the abyss, where he perish ed. ^^ His brother, however, was saved. Notwithstanding, the death of him, who was buried beneath the waves, caused poignant regret to St. Brendan, as he had advised that course, which caused him to be drowned. He consulted certain holy men, on what should now be done, and they advised him to seek proper counsel from his nurse St. Ita, who was also a prophetess. This he did, and she advised him, to make a pilgrimage, as an atonement for that death of which he had been the occasion, and afterwards to preach among men, so that he might draw many souls to Christ. In obedience to her, the holy man prepared for his pilgrimage, and he sailed for Britain. According to some writers, St. Brendan went over to Wales, and there he passed some time, under the instruction of a holy senior and a wise man, named St. Gildas. *9
We are told, moreover, that Brendan hved for several years, in the Abbey of Llancarven,3°in Glamorganshire, while his reputation had spread far and near. Before the arrival of our saint, Gildas had intimation of his coming, and had in- structed his disciples to prepare a supper for the holy guests and labourers in Christ'svineyard,whowereexpectedtoarriveonthatveryday. Healsode- clared, that his monks should see in the flesh, one like to the Apostle St. Peter, who was a zealous and laborious worker, as also, one who should declare, for what crime—already pardoned by the Almighty—he had come there on a pil- grimage. He then told the janitor of their monastery, that he should close the gate, with iron bolts, until through Brendan's merits, the Almighty would open them. At that time, winter set in. Three years had already elapsed, beforeSt. Brendan'spilgrimagewasfinished. Whenhearrivedatthemonas- tery of St. Gildas, snow covered the ground; but, none fell on St. Brendan nor on his disciples, who were waiting before the monastery gate. The ostiarius who was inside, on seeing this, invited them to approach, and he declared, that throughtheirmerits,thegateshouldopen. Then,St. Brendancalledhisdis-
pel ab illo ilie usque liodie polices nullo °9 His feast has been assigned, to the 29th modo in ipso castro vivunt," cap. xiii. , pp. of January. See his Life at that date, in this II, 12. See Most Rev. Patrick Francis work, vol. i. , Art. i.
Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani. "
'7 . See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's "His-
tory of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, iii. ,
p_ ^1^
"* The author of the Life adds : " priori
^° Although IJssher asserts, that St. Bren- dan succeeded Cadoc, as abbot of this place ; yet this cannot be leconcikd with Cadoc's transactions, nor with the statements of Ussher himself, that Ellenius was Cadoc's successor. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Eccle-
verojuveni, qermano illius, erat quasi murus
sicut et Moysi. "—Cap. xiv. , p. 12. See Most siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti x. , sect, vii. , n. 102, p. 33.
Brendani. "
^' The feast of this saint has been assigned,
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
ciple, St. Talmach,3' telling him to go and open the door in Chiisi's name. Immediately, his hand was extended for the purpose, when the locks within disappeared ; and going, in like manner to the teampiill^ they found it closed against them.
