Brénainn m. Findloga of Cluain Ferta

Other names

Brénainn Moccu Altae ie Brendan of the Alltraighe (VC 1.26, III, 17); Brendan the Navigator

Introduction

The popularity of Brendan is reflected in the number of accounts there are of his life and travels. The Navigatio Brandani from which many versions derive, including in Irish and French, dates from the late eighth century (Sharpe 1991, 390) and is probably of Munster origin. There was also a Vita Brendani which survives in several versions, including in Latin; all are either abbreviated from the original or contaminated by the Navigatio. See Burgess and Strijbosch 2000 for bibliography. In Scotland he is associated with several places in the west: Tiree, Mull, Islay, Bute, Seil Island, Kintyre etc. There is a dedication and fair in Kilbirnie in Ayrshire, but the Kilbirnie in Beauly derives from Cúil-bhraonaigh '(at) oozy nook' from braon, a drizzle, ooze (Watson, CPNS, 189). Commemorations in Banffshire can be deduced from both names and fairs (ibid p 274). Mackinlay 1914 (p 69) and Forbes, Kalendars (p 286) suggest Birnie in Moray commemorates Brendan, but Watson says the name comes from braonach, a moist place (Watson, CPNS 189). Similar derivations may apply to other alleged Brendan commemorations. Dempster has, on May 16, Birra coenobio Brandani abbatis, and other Brendans on Jan 11, June 14, June 18, Dec 19 and Dec 20 (Dempster in Forbes, Kalendars). Chambers has two Brendans on May 16: Sanctus Brandanus Abbas Apostolus Orcadum & Scoticarum insularum. Hoc eodem die S. Brandanus Abbas Culrossiae (Chambers in Forbes, Kalendars).

Associated places

Cluain Ferta (Mart. O, Mart. T etc): Clonfert, barony of Longford, co. Galway. Ard Ferta: Ardfert village, seat of Diocese of Kerry.

Obituary

AU 577.3 Quies Brendain Clona Ferta Also in Clon. group. AU 583.5 Uel hoc anno quies Bhrenainn Chluana Ferta (add. H2)

Genealogies

moccu Altae in VC i.26, iii.17, CNE 707.36, and elsewhere ie a member of the Altraige, a minor group in the area around Tralee in Co. Kerry . But also claimed by the Eoganachta (Navigatio Sancti Brendani ch 1, Selmer 1959 etc) and the Ciarraige Luachra (Irish Life ch 3 – Plummer, BNE ii p 44) of northern Co. Kerry.

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Brénainn (ns) (certain)

Same as Brénainn m. Nemainn of Birr (possible)

Ó Riain argues that the two were 'originally identical' (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 114)

Related Personal Names

Name

Brénainn (certain)

Name

Mo Bí (certain)

This is his original name in his Irish Life, Plummer 1922 ii, p 45, ch. 7.

Feast days

Day of Year

May 16

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Source code

Mart. O

Source title

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1905

Notes

Full title is Félire Óengusso Céli Dé, The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, critically edited from Ten Manuscripts, with a Preface, Translation, Notes and Indices.

Quote from source

Togairm Brénainn Chlúana isin mbithflaith mbúadaig 'The calling of Brénainn of Clúain into the eternal, victorious kingdom.'

Day of Year

May 16

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Source code

Mart.T

Source title

Martyrology of Tallaght

Editors

Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.

Year

1931

Notes

From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.

Quote from source

Brendini Clúana Ferta.

Day of Year

May 16

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Source code

Mart. G

Source title

Martyrology of Gorman

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1895

Notes

Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.

Quote from source

Brenainn cen band uabhair Brendan without a deed of pride Gloss: mac Findloga, abb Cluana Ferta

Day of Year

May 16

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Source code

Mart. Do.

Source title

The Martyrology of Donegal

Editors

Todd, J. H.

Year

1864

Notes

Other author to be specified.

Quote from source

Brenainn, abb cluana Ferta Brenainn

Notes

This is a long entry, with story about how Michael the Archangel visited him in the form of a bird.