The Brendan tapestry

Below is a picture of a tapestry*
which tells the story of the voyage of

St Brendan the Navigator (pdf; PowerPoint).

There are twenty-four different
pictures in the tapestry.

Is the voyage fact or just a tall tale?

You should begin reading the tapestry

at the bottom left-hand corner.

See if you can find the sections which

show the items listed in the table below.

When you have found a section,

use the key to find its number.

People bringing stores onto the boat.
People waving farewell to the monks.
Casks, waterskins and other supplies

for the journey.
Scenes from early Irish life:
A harper.
A piper.

A warrior on horseback.
A huntsman.
A chariot.

The burial of one of the travellers at sea.
Inhabitants of the land which Brendan visited.
The young man who directed Brendan home.
Brendan’s boat.

Key

6
5
4
3
2
1

12
11
10
9
8
7

18
17
16
15
14
13

24
23
22
21
20

Adapted from from Footprints 3 by Peadar Cremin, CJ Fallon, 1987, no ISBN, 47-55

* The tapestry is the work of the Irish artist Louis Le Brocquy. It was woven to le Brocquy's design by Tabard

Frères & Soeurs, Aubusson (Creuse), France 1963-64. Commissioned by P. J. Carroll and Co. Ltd., it

measures eighteen feet by fourteen-and-a-half feet, it can be seen in the entry hall of the offices of the

company on Grand Parade, Dublin.

Ireland in Schools