The Brendan Project is the design and fabrication of a bronze sculpture depicting the voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator. The monument is being received by the Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (Dingle Peninsula Heritage Office) in Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry, Ireland. The proposed 16ft bronze will be installed above Cuas - Brandon Creek, the location Brendan departed from on his sixth century journey of discovery.

             Inspired by a personal event in the artist’s life, the piece is dedicated to faith and courage so that others may embark on their own voyage. 

             This signed, numbered limited edition (50) bronze is available as a gift for a contribution of $9,500. In addition to the maquette, your name will be permanently placed on the sculpture in Kerry. 

             Who is St. Brendan? Along with Sts. Patrick, Brigid, and Colmcille, Brendan is one of Irelands most beloved saints. He was a sixth century monk who, with 14 of his religious brothers, sailed a leather covered boat (curragh) west, into the Atlantic Ocean. After seven years of roaming the seas they finally reached the "Land Promised to the Saints". Although the story is more a metaphor than real, there are some scholars who believe the land he discovered was North America, making his discovery 300 years before the Vikings.

 

                 The boat is the ancient leather curragh used by Irish fisherman for centuries. I went to Quin, Ireland to research the curragh used by adventurer Tim Severin on his 1976-77 voyage which recreated Brendan's Atlantic crossing, proving such a vessel and such a voyage was possible. The story was published in the July 1977 issue of the National Geographic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 Every part of the sculpture has a particular meaning in reference to either the story of St. Brendan or to ancient Celtic Christianity. The pagan symbols selected to be used on the sculpture, although originally pagan, transcend the Celtic Christian Church. With an ogham alphabet and an Irish dictionary you can read the message I inscribed on the Ogham stones beneath the Brendan's boat.

 

 

Although too small to be discernable on the cross of the bronze maquette, the monumental sculpture has images, designed by Donahue, which pertain to the voyage of Brendan. A 14” bronze replica is also available as a fundraiser.

 

“Voyage of St. Brendan”

 

  32” x 22” x 8”

  Bronze - Limited Edition: 50