Statues - Hither & Thither

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Fenit - An Fhianait
Co. Kerry - Ciarraí

Great Samphire Island

Saint Brendan the Navigator

Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert, called 'the Navigator', 'the Voyager', or 'the Bold';
(Fenit Island c. 484 - Eanachduin c. 577)
one of the early Irish monastic saints; chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the 'Isle of the Blessed', also called Saint Brendan's Island
(Wikipedia)

Tighe O'Donoghue/Ross
Cast Bronze Foundry (Dublin)
2005

Fenit - An Fhianait / Saint Brendan the Navigator

Description

Large bronze statue of St. Brendan; in keeping with the tradition of the Fianna, Brendan is depicted as following their battle strategy - glún le glaoi agus troig le taca (knee bent toward the battle tumult, rear foot against a support, so there could be no retreat); leaning into a force 10 storm, like those he must often have faced at sea on his own travels, with his cloak blowing out behind him, grasping the Gospel, pointing out to sea and urging ever forward to spread the word of God.
He is standing on a boat-shaped plinth constructed by the local stonemasons Tom and Eugene Farrelly.

On the rocks next to St. Brendan sits an owl. In the concrete wall supporting the plateau are five reliefs showing scenes from Brendan's Navigatio: Iceland (volcanos), Faeros (sea gulls), The Boat, The Whale and The Feast.

Signature

CAST ltd | bronze founders | dublin

Sculptor

Tighe O'Donoghue/Ross (New York 1942), Irish sculptor of Glenflesk. Father of Eoghan O'Donoghue/Ross (Website).

Sources & Information

Information signs at the spot.

Locatie (N 52°16'8" - W 9°51'48") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: ie236; Photograph: 18 June 2014
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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