St. Brendan was a prominent Irish saint, born into the Eóganacht clan of Loch Lein, in Ciarraighe Luachra, near the present-day city of Tralee in County Kerry, Munster province, around AD 484. St. Brendan is best known for his famous voyage to find the Promised Land of the West, which many believe to have been America, nearly 1,000 years before Columbus. Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis, or “The Voyage of St. Brendan” was the very famous tale of St. Brendan’s journey to visit the “Promised Land of the West” that he had heard was the land that God had promised to the saints to be their eternal inheritance, forever. In this classic tale of white martyrdom, some versions say, one day St. Brendan climbed nearby Slieve Dagda (later named Brandon Mountain after him), and fasted for forty days and forty nights, seeking God’s will. It is said that an angel then came to him in a dream and promised to guide him to the Promised Land. Other accounts, most notably the Navigatio itself, say that Brendan learned of the mysterious Promised Land from one St. Barrind, who had sailed there himself. There he had found a great land of peace and plenty where the sun never set. This land was divided by a great river that ran east and west, and was guarded by an angel of the Lord. Yearning to see this “Promised Land of the Saints”, Brendan purposed in his heart to sail there and see it for himself.

Though we provide a complete summary of the Navigatio in our book, Mysterious World: Ireland, we have decided to publish the complete text of the Navigatio here for your enjoyment. The story will be published serially, one-fourth published quarterly for the next four quarters (Winter 2006 – Autumn 2007). To be alerted when the next installment becomes available, click here to sign up for our email newsletter, which will be published quarterly.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Barrind's Story
Part 2. The Brothers Assemble
Part 3. Visit to Saint Enda
Part 4. The Building of the Boat
Part 5. The Three Latecomers
Part 6. The Uninhabited House
Part 7. One Latecomer Dies
Part 8. A Youth Brings Food
Part 9. The Island of Sheep
Part 10. Jasconius
Part 11. The Paradise of Birds
Part 12. The Community of Ailbe
Part 13. The Soporific Well
Part 14. The Coagulated Sea
Part 15. The Island of Sheep, Jasconius and the Paradise of Birds Again
Part 16. The Devouring Beast
Part 17. The Island of the Three Choirs or Anchorites. A Latecomer Stays
Part 18. The Island of Grapes
Part 19. The Gryphon
Part 20. The Community of Ailbe Again
Part 21. The Clear Sea
Part 22. The Crystal Pillar
Part 23. The Island of Smiths
Part 24. The Fiery Mountain. The Third Latecomer Taken by Demons
Part 25. Unhappy Judas
Part 26. The Island of Paul the Hermit
Part 27. The Island of Sheep, Jasconius, and the Paradise of Birds Again
Part 28. The Promised Land of the Saints
Part 29. Return Home and Death of Saint Brendan

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