In reality, I have no idea what this volcano is.
However, most scholars seems to argue that perhaps St. Brendan
sailed from Ireland to North America in the sixth century via way of Iceland.
He was born c. 484-489; and died at Annaghdown, Ireland, c. 577-583.
His dying words to his sister were, "I fear that I shall
journey alone, that the way will be dark; I fear the unknown land, the presence
of my King and the sentence of my judge."
The land remains unknown today.
If Iceland, the only volcano currently cataloged as erupting
during Brendan's lifetime is Hekla. However, as the stamp below portrays,
Brendan was in a boat at the time of the eruption. Hekla is a fair way from
the coast but he was pelted with rocks and foul smelling sulfur.
A more likely volcano was Katla, but it was not recorded as
having erupted in this time frame. Another possibility may be Beerenburg
on Jan Mayen Island. If so, he was way off course.
The stamp showing the volcano at the top right was issued
by the Faroe Islands on April 18th 1994
The stamps were also on a souvenir sheet, illustrated below
Below, the same design on stamps of Iceland.
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