1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Finished Jigsaw 485mm x 680mm

Brendan the Navigator

Artist - Rachel Arbuckle

Brendan the Navigator

St Brendan was born in Annagh, Co. Kerry in 484AD. He established many monasteries in Ireland, the most famous at Clonfert, Co. Galway in 560AD.

This is also his final resting place. He travelled extensively by sea to Britain and possibly Brittany.

A manuscript written in the 9th century, “Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot”, tells the story of his famous journey with 14 monks in search of the Island of the Blessed.  

The voyage took 7 years and he may have landed in Iceland, Greenland and America before returning home. Along the way they encountered sea monsters, icebergs and volcanos.

His feast day is celebrated on the 16th May and he is known as the patron saint of Seafarers and Travellers.

Rachel Arbuckle

Rachel graduated from Dublin’s National College of Art and Design in 1990.

The popularity of her Celtic Artwork since then has seen her work available worldwide in many forms.

The colours used, although modern, emulate the softness of the natural pigments used by the Celts centuries before.

The image of St Brendan provides an opportunity to display her attention to detail with her modern interpretation of this famous Irish abbot.