Its  name  implies  that  it  was  a  retired  and  sheltered  meadow,
surrounded  on  one  side  by  what  was  then  a  vast  forest,  and
is  now  an  equally  vast  bog.  To  the  north  and  east  it  was
bounded  by  fertile  meadows  stretching  away  towards  the
river,  which  at  the  nearest  point  is  two  miles  distant ;  but
in  rainy  weather  the  river  overflowed  its  low  and  sedgy
banks,  converting  all  these  meadows  into  one  vast  lake,  so
that  the  Cluain  itself  becam.e  an  island.  It  is  so  called  in
some  ancient  references,  which  have  been  misunderstood
even  by  Dr.  Lanigan,  who  could  not  understand  why  it  was
called  the  "  Island  of  Clonfert."

For  twenty  years  Brendan  presided  over  this  great
establishment ;  but  occasionally  left  it  for  a  time  in  order  to
visit  his  other  monasteries.  Hence  he  placed  Moinenn  over
Clonfert  as  permanent  prior,  or  Head  of  the  House,  so
that  his  own  frequent  absences  might  not  interfere  with
the  permanent  efficiency  of  the  monastic  and  scholastic
work.
Brendan  died  at  his  sister's  monastery  of  Annaghdown
in  the  year  A.D.  577,  as  already  stated,  in  the  ninety-fourth
year  of  his  age.  His  remains  had  to  be  carried  away  by
stealth  from  his  western  people  around  Lough  Corrib,  who
loved  him  much,  and  by  his  own  directions  were  brought  to
his  Church  of  Clonfert,  where  they  were  interred  with  all
honour  by  the  myriads  of  his  spiritual  children,  who
crowded  to  his  obsequies.
