St. Brendan, also known as Brendan the Voyager or Navigator, was born about 484 AD near Tralee. At a very young age he began his education in the priesthood and studied under St. Ita 'the Brigid of Munster' and Saint Finnian of Clonard. Later he completed his studies under St. Erc, who ordained him in 512 AD. During the next twenty years of his life, St. Brendan sailed all around Ireland and Scotland as far north as The Hebrides spreading the word of God and founding monastery after monastery. Legend has always held that he reached Greenland, The Faroe Islands and North America. Ogham stones with Celtic runic writing have been found in West Virginia. The most notable of Brendan's monastic foundations is Clonfert (in Irish, Cluain Fearta, meaning Meadow of Miracles) here in Galway, which he founded around 557 AD. St. Brendan died around 578 AD also in Galway, in Annaghdown, where he was visiting his sister, who was abbess in a convent there, and his feast day is marked on May 16th.
