Brendan of Birr


Brendan of Birr
Stained glass window depicting St. Brendan in St. Brendan's Church, Birr.
Abbot, Prophet of Ireland
Diedc.573
Birr, Kingdom of Munster
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Anglican Communion
CanonizedPre-Congregation
Feast29 November

Brendan of Birr (died c. 572) was one of the early Irish monastic saints. He was a monk and later an abbot, of the 6th century. He is known as "Saint Brendan the Elder" to distinguish him from his contemporary and friend Brendan the Navigator of Clonfert. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, a friend and disciple of Columba.