Did Medieval Irish monks visit Oak Island?


Stained glass window of St. Brendan in Ireland as a child

St. Brendan was a monk who lived in Ireland in the 400s.


St. Brendan received a calling from God to go on an ocean voyage West to seek the Promised Land.

Etching of St. Brendan and other irish monks leaving on their voyage

Manuscript image of St. Brendan and the irish monks sailing across the atlantic

He and his crew of Irish monks sailed around the Atlantic for seven years, visiting Iceland and Greenland on the way.


They encountered many natural wonders on their trip unknown to Europeans, including volcanoes, whales and allegedly Judas Escariot trapped on an iceberg.

Painting of St. Brendan seeing Judas on an ice berg

Historic map of St. Brendan travelling the Atlantic and visiting the island of delights
Modern map of St. Brendan's medieval voyage that could have included Oak Island

A written record of his travels tells of St. Brendan reaching the Promised Land, or the “Island of Delights.” If true, this could make St. Brendan the first European to visit North America. Details in the account lead some researchers to wonder if this Island of Delights was Oak Island.


Roman coins similar to ones found on Oak Island, which could have been left by irish monks

Oak Island's First Visitors: Irish Monks, Vikings and Templars: The artifacts and the evidence by Doug Symons book

Doug Symons presents the evidence that St. Brendan was the first European to visit North America, and potentially Oak Island, in his book Oak Island’s First Visitors.

Read on to learn more!


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