Who Really Discovered America

Or should I say, which European was the 1st to discover that the American continent existed?

A) Cristofero Columbo

B) Leif Erikson

C) St. Brendan the Navigator

If you said C you are right. Much as it pains my Italiano-American heart, it was St. Brendan from Ireland. The 1 redeeming factor is that some scholars think it was St. Brendan's writings that inspired Cristofero Columbo in his quest.

So, who was St. Brendan the Navigator. He was born Ciarraighe Luachra, near the present city of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 484. From early on he was surrounded by saintly men & women. His sister was St. Briga. His friends included St. Columba, St. Brendan of Birr, St. Brigid, and St. Enda of Arran. He was baptized by Bishop Erc at , near Ardfert in 577. He was educated by St. Ita of Killeedy. He was ordained by St Erc in 512. From then until 530 he built monastic cells at Ardfert, Aleth, Plouaret, Inchquin Island, Annaghdown, and at Shanakeel or Baalynevinoorach, at the foot of Brandon Hill. About 559 he founded Clonfert monastery and monastic school. St. Brendan died c. 577 & is intered at the Clonfort monastery.

But what he is most remembered for is the voyage he is supposed to have made with several of his brother monks. The story is that they travelled about evangelizing at the various places they landed at, possibly including America. The boat they used was made of leather. Told in Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis, the story wasn't written down until the 11th Century. It is this story that Columbo was familiar with. There is no definite evidence that any of the events actually happenned. But, it has been proven that they could have done so. In 1976 Timothy Severin successfully travelled the most likely route St. Brendan & companions took. So, even though much in the Navigatio is legend, there is a high probability that the voyage itself did happen.

There is 1 incident though that Severin didn't duplicate, or even try to. On Holy Saturday night, St. Brendan & companions landed on what they thought was a desolate island. They wanted to celebrate the Easter Vigil & lit the fire for the liturgy. It was then that they discovered the island was actually a whale.

So, even if he didn't discover America, he did, as I said, inspire Colombo. So, he still played a part in its eventual permanent discovery by Europe. & the final name it received is Italiano in origin (Amerigo Vespucci). So, I guess I can live with his discovering it 1st.