Saint 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 "St Brendan the Elder" to distinguish him from his contemporary and friend St
Brendan the Navigator of Clonfert. He was one of the
Twelve Apostles of Ireland, a friend and disciple of
Saint Columba.