Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Major new initiatives to mark the life and times of St Brendan, launched this Monday, in St
Brendan’s Cathedral in Ardfert, have been described by former Tánaiste Dick Spring as “visionary and hugely challenging”.
The events commemorating work and influence of Kerry’s patron saint will take place on 4th to 19th May next in communities he was linked to including Ballyheigue, Ardfert, Fenit, Tralee, Castlegregory, Cloghane, Brandon and Baile na nGall.
The Storied Kerry initiative will see those communities hosting events to encourage all to get to know more about Brendan.
The three pillars of the celebration will be to tell Brendan’s extraordinary story to today’s world, to build a Brendan archive and to try to figure out what would Brendan’s message be for today and what is his challenge to the modern world?
Storied Kerry chairman Frank Lewis said the project is based on a belief that actively discovering more of the story of our own place enriches our lives and the lives of our communities.
“Bonding us more closely to the place where we live makes us more contented and fulfilled. It settles and integrates new people. It preserves and enhances the real identity of our place,” he said.
“It is the most basic infrastructure, basic to all development – social, cultural and economic.
The ways to stimulate each of us to actively discovering more of the story of our own place
are endlessly varied,” the chairman added.
Speaking at the launch, Dick Spring said the most sophisticated modern technology should be used to tell this great sea saga of medieval Europe.
“Elements of the legend and life of Brendan are to be found in every medieval monastery in Europe. There is need to assemble a comprehensive Brendan archive which would include scholarly material and artistic creativity drawn from all over the world,” he said.
“There will be need for ongoing collection, scholarship and further publication on the Brendan phenomenon. All of this is work that needs to be undertaken by a third level institution or equivalent.,” he added.
“The Brendan project is visionary. It is hugely challenging. The aim is to get owners for each of the three parts and each will oversee its own evolution and development. The co-ordinating body will be just advisory,” said Mr Spring who will chair the project.
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