During the 15th-century Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands, an aboriginal folklore story from the islands (rooted in Celtic legend), spoke about an 8th island that was sometimes seen to the west of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. Many sailors chronicled how, in attempts to reach its shores, natural phenomenon like thick mists, winds or storms would impede clear views or access to the island, which would vanish just as fast.
Legend claims that the island was named after the Irish patron saint of travelers: Saint Brendan of Clonfert (480-576 DC), a monk from Tralee who was the first to set foot on the infamous “phantom” island. Irish-derived Canarian lore describes the monk's adventure as an ordained priest who sailed throughout the Atlantic Ocean with 14 other monks on a small vessel. Along the way, they picked up 3 other monks, encountered fire-hurling demons, floating crystal columns, and an island covered with trees and much vegetation - a Garden of Eden in a way - and their long sought “Promised Land of the Saints.” They settled on the island for 6 years when one day, while celebrating mass, the island began to move, prompting them to set sail again. They watched in amazement how the island moved in the water much like a whale and disappeared. The Irish base this legend on the assumptions that Irish sailors possibly reached, towards the end of the Middle Ages, the shores of North America or Newfoundland, Iceland and other Atlantic islands.
