Bronze saint braves Atlantic gales

A NEW, larger-than-life statue of Kerry’s patron saint has survived its first big test from the elements.

Strong winds in recent days failed to knock a shake out of the 12-foot memorial to St Brendan, which has just been erected at Fenit Harbour.

Weighing two tonnes, the bronze statue was still standing firmly yesterday on Samphire Rock, commanding views of both Fenit and the storm-tossed Atlantic stretching out into Dingle Bay.

The sculpture by Tighe O'Donoghue depicts Brendan facing the force of a gale, with a book in one hand.

The good saint, reputedly born in Fenit in 484 AD, was himself no stranger to the unpredictable moods of both climate and sea and the statue is pointing out towards the Atlantic.

Known as St Brendan The Navigator, he devoted much of his 93 years to mastering the ocean.

It is believed the intrepid sailor was one of the first Europeans to reach America. Indeed, many authorities claim he discovered the continent long before Christopher Columbus.

Fenit priest Dr Gearóid Ó Donnchadha, who has spearheaded the statue project, also wants to provide a heritage centre, in Fenit, to honour St Brendan.

Dr Ó Donnchadha described St Brendan as one of the most famous Irish saints even better known than St Patrick at one time and probably the greatest sailor the world has known.

The St Brendan statue will be unveiled on Sunday, September 19, at 3pm.

It will also be a day of celebration and large crowds are expected to attend.