Brendan, Saint, is the name of two Christian saints who lived in Ireland in the 500’s.
Saint Brendan of Clonfert
(486?-577) was an early monk. According to Irish tradition, he was the first European to sail to America. The story of his voyages is contained in the book Navigatio Sancti Brendani. Many of the incidents described in the book are imaginary. But it is possible that Brendan landed on the eastern coast of North America.
Brendan was born in what is now County Kerry, Ireland. He founded an important monastery at Clonfert, in what is now County Galway, in western Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on May 16.
Saint Brendan of Birr
(?-571), an important Irish prophet, founded a monastery at Birr, in what is now County Offaly. His feast day is November 29.
