He landed with his companions, and penetrated into the interior, until he came to a large river flowing from east to west, supposed to be that now known as the Ohio.

Here, according to the legend, he was accosted by a man of venerable bearing, who told him that he had gone far enough; that further discoveries were reserved for other men, who would in due time come and christianize that pleasant land.
After an absence of seven years, the saint returned once more to Ireland, and lived not only to tell of the marvels he had seen, but even to found a college of three thousand monks at Clonfert.

This voyage took place in the year 545, according to Colgan; but as St.Brendan must have been at that time at least sixty years old, an earlier date has been suggested as more probable.[179] The northern and southern Hy-Nials had long held rule in Ireland; but while the northern tribe were ever distinguished, not only for their valour, but for their chivalry in field or court, the southern race fell daily lower in the estimation of their countrymen.

Their disgrace was completed when two kings, who ruled Erinn jointly, were treacherously slain by Conall Guthvin.

For this crime the family were excluded from regal honours for several generations.
Home dissensions led to fatal appeals for foreign aid, and this frequently from the oppressing party.