Saint Brendan’s Dream – In one of the earliest versions of the legend, St. Brendan was sent on the voyage by an angel.  In Rosemary’s version he is visited by an angel who brings visions of the voyage into the dreams of a peacefully slumbering St. Brendan.

Farewell for a While – The monks built a curragh, a traditional Irish boat made of wood and animal hides, and set sail one day from the shore of Dingle Bay.

Welcome to Sheep Island – According to the legend, one of their first discoveries was an island populated by sheep where they were greeted by a hermit.  He offered them food and told them the next island they would encounter had many colorful birds and they should remain there to celebrate Pentecost before continuing their journey.

Preachan and Paidin Visit Sheep Island – The legend says, St. Brendan had a pet raven he called Preachan who traveled with the monks on their voyage.  In Rosemary’s version, a cat named Paiden (Patrick) is also a traveling companion.  In this painting, while the monks explore the island, Brendan’s pets make a few friends of their own.

A Paradise of Birds – Upon arriving on the next island the monks did indeed find the colorful birds, which were all the more wonderous as they also spoke and sang psalms.

The Island Swims Away – According to one version of the Irish tale an enormous whale, named Jaconius, was mistaken for an island.  The monks discovered their error however, after building a fire on the back of the whale.

The Mass of the Fishes – In time, Jaconius and the monks became friends and he gave them permission to conduct Easter Mass on his back every year for seven years, while the fish gathered to listen.

Crystal Towers in the Sea – On their voyage, the monks reportedly saw many wonderous sights including floating crystal palaces (which may or may not have been real icebergs).