Brendan was very pleased. At last
he and his monks could lay aside their carpenter's tools,
the boat was finished. He looked proudly at its strong wooden
frame, its heavy anchor and its tall, stout mast. It would
soon be ready to sail. Dried fish, meat and casks of water
were being stored on board, for the voyage would be long and
dangerous. For many years Brendan and his monks lived quiet
and holy lives on the mountain slopes of Kerry. Now they
would set out on the lonely seas to carry knowledge of God to
the unknown Land of Promise.
Soon all was ready. Brendan and
his companions knelt on the shore and asked God to guide them
on their voyage. Then they went on board ; the sail was
hoisted and the little boat sailed out to the open sea.
Brendan stood at the bow, his long robes flowing in the wind.
Beside him perched his pet raven which he always took with
him on a journey. The holy monks sang sacred songs as they
sailed across the vast unknown ocean. Seven long years were
to pass before they foot again on their native land.
Wild and wonderful adventures
befell them on their voyage. They visited many island. On
some they found holy monks, on others they found the most
beautiful flowers they had ever seen and birds which sang the
praises of God. They saw great fountains of rainbow-coloured
water bursting from the ground. Once they passed close by a
large iceberg which floated like a huge crystal mountain on
the ocean. They gazed in wonder and admiration ; never had
they seen anything so pure, so still and so beautiful. They
voyaged through calm seas, through fog and rain and storm.
Often their lives were in danger ; always they prayed and
trusted in God.
They sailed from island to island;
each more wonderful than the one before. At last, after
many years, they came in sight of a long golden strand. Cries
of joy broke from the weary crew, for there before them was
the Land of Promise.
Was Brendan's Land of Promise
America?
They anchored their boat and
eagerly went ashore. The beauty of all they saw around them
filled them with wonder adn amaxement. The trees were laden
with soft ripe and the grasss was filled with flowers. No
cloud darkened the sunshine. Brightly feathered birds flew
through the air singing the sweetest music they had ever
heard.
For forty days Brendan and his
monks travelled through that beautiful land. At length they
came to a wide river which they were unable to cross. They
could go no further. As they stood sorrowfully on the bank a
tall handsome stranger came towards them. He greeted them
kindly, calling each by his name. It was not God'd wish, he
told them. that the Irish should yet come to this land. They
must return to their own country.
When at last they reached the
shores of Ireland they were welcomed with great joy. As soon
as they landed, the holy monks fell on their knees and gave
thanks to God who had guided them throught the seven long
years of their voyage.
The story of Saint Brendan's
voyage was told later written down in many languages, but we
cannot be sure how much of it is true. Today it is thought
that Brendan's Land od Promise was really the Continent of
America. It is indeed possible that Saint Brendan and his
monks reached that great land nearly a thousand years before
it was again discovered by Columbus. In modern times Tim Severn sailed a replica from Ireland of the type of craft Brendan was to have used to reach America