Saint Brendan was one of the most celebrated figures of the medieval era. The chief memorials in Latin to his life, legend, and legacy - the Vita Sancti Brendani, the Navigatio Sancti Brendani, and the Oratio Sancti Brendani - portray Brendan as a saintly hero and as an icon of the Gaelic west who was identified with its people, their struggles, and their aspirations over the long arc of Irish history.
The discussion below touches on the contents, structure, themes, and style of the version of the Vita chose from translation in this volume, one which incorporates the Navigatio. The discussion moves on to the Oratio attributed to Brendan, reportedly composed when he was at sea, and ends with a note on the translation.
If you are interested in either saints in the Middle Ages, or early medieval Irish history, this book will be a very important source. Even those with a broader interest in medieval Christianity will find this to be a very enjoyable read.
Gordon Barthos is a journalist and scholar who is interested in Irish hagiography.
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