The story of St. Brendan and his trip to the Americas was actually on my history course when I was in school. I read an article a few years ago about the similarities between Gaelige and a certain Indian language (can't remember which one) the only example I can remember at the moment is "uisce" means water in Gaelige. Water in whatever Indian language it was, was "uiske". I should look that article up again I think it was it "The Irish Times" will get back to you if I find it.