Page 84 - Guerin Media | The Wild Atlantic Way
P. 84
The historical Saint known as Brendan was the treacherous rocky inlet of Brandon’s cove where
born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near the present Saint Brendan is said to have embarked on his perilous
city of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 484. For journey across to the “Isle of the Blessed” - his was the
five years he was educated under St. Ita, who first record of a visiting that landmass today known as
was known as "the Brigid of Munster", and he “America”. The journey of Brendan (489–583AD.) or
completed his studies under St. Erc,(who gave his “Brendan the voyager” as he is sometimes known, was
name to the local school here) who ordained him re created by Tim Severin in a hand crafted naomhóg
priest in 512AD. in 1976. Severin and his crew sailed their tiny boat
The Brendan, 4,500 miles (7,200 km) from Ireland to
enjoy some of the local food in full confidence that your Newfoundland, stopping at the Hebrides and Iceland en
children are in your sights. route. Latin texts of Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis
A walk along the cliffs from this point, in full view of the (The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot) date back to at
Atlantic from the lofty cliffs , will take you around to the least 800 AD.
next cove of Feothanach a perfect beach for seaweed and
mussel foraging . The cliff walk continues here to bring From here, the road will take you straight to the foot
you to the Napoleonic tower that sits on the adjacent of Mount Brandon, where the Saint was reputed to
headland- a remnant of another age. have fasted for 40 days before undertaking his famous
Driving on around the Slea head drive, you will take in voyage. Climbing to the summit is both strenuous
the shop and church at Bóthar Buí and further on the and rewarding. Mount Brandon itself is the end of a
road opens onto a dramatic cliff view where there are Christian pilgrimage trail known as Cosán na Naomh.
two well appointed restaurants serving hearty local fare. The walk can take about four hours and the route is
The harbor below is a smugglers dream but is not much marked out clearly by white crosses. Pilgrims have come
in use today. Be sure to park carefully if you choose to to this place for thousands of years prior to Christianity
stop here for a closer sea view . Stand well back from the and this route was originally associated with the festival
cliff edge as we never can know if there is an overhang or of Lughnasadh. The mountain's importance may be due
a risk of the earth giving way. In this heady landscape, it to the fact that, being so far west and so high, it is the
is wise to be cautious and travel safely - the ocean takes last place where the sun can be seen before it sets.
no prisoners!
From Feothanach, if you cross the bridge at the Conor Pass- "An Chonair"
junction, you can follow the road around to take in
This unique route known among locals as “An
Chonair”, crosses the peninsula between Dingle
Town and Brandon Bay on the other side. The
Kilmalkedar Monastic Site © Chris May
82
born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near the present Saint Brendan is said to have embarked on his perilous
city of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 484. For journey across to the “Isle of the Blessed” - his was the
five years he was educated under St. Ita, who first record of a visiting that landmass today known as
was known as "the Brigid of Munster", and he “America”. The journey of Brendan (489–583AD.) or
completed his studies under St. Erc,(who gave his “Brendan the voyager” as he is sometimes known, was
name to the local school here) who ordained him re created by Tim Severin in a hand crafted naomhóg
priest in 512AD. in 1976. Severin and his crew sailed their tiny boat
The Brendan, 4,500 miles (7,200 km) from Ireland to
enjoy some of the local food in full confidence that your Newfoundland, stopping at the Hebrides and Iceland en
children are in your sights. route. Latin texts of Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis
A walk along the cliffs from this point, in full view of the (The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot) date back to at
Atlantic from the lofty cliffs , will take you around to the least 800 AD.
next cove of Feothanach a perfect beach for seaweed and
mussel foraging . The cliff walk continues here to bring From here, the road will take you straight to the foot
you to the Napoleonic tower that sits on the adjacent of Mount Brandon, where the Saint was reputed to
headland- a remnant of another age. have fasted for 40 days before undertaking his famous
Driving on around the Slea head drive, you will take in voyage. Climbing to the summit is both strenuous
the shop and church at Bóthar Buí and further on the and rewarding. Mount Brandon itself is the end of a
road opens onto a dramatic cliff view where there are Christian pilgrimage trail known as Cosán na Naomh.
two well appointed restaurants serving hearty local fare. The walk can take about four hours and the route is
The harbor below is a smugglers dream but is not much marked out clearly by white crosses. Pilgrims have come
in use today. Be sure to park carefully if you choose to to this place for thousands of years prior to Christianity
stop here for a closer sea view . Stand well back from the and this route was originally associated with the festival
cliff edge as we never can know if there is an overhang or of Lughnasadh. The mountain's importance may be due
a risk of the earth giving way. In this heady landscape, it to the fact that, being so far west and so high, it is the
is wise to be cautious and travel safely - the ocean takes last place where the sun can be seen before it sets.
no prisoners!
From Feothanach, if you cross the bridge at the Conor Pass- "An Chonair"
junction, you can follow the road around to take in
This unique route known among locals as “An
Chonair”, crosses the peninsula between Dingle
Town and Brandon Bay on the other side. The
Kilmalkedar Monastic Site © Chris May
82
