Background
Brenan was born in Kilkenny, in the Kingdom of Ireland, the son of a stonemason.
Brenan was born in Kilkenny, in the Kingdom of Ireland, the son of a stonemason.
After his ordination to the Catholic priesthood, Brenan quickly obtained a reputation as a preacher, but, possibly out of personal issues, quickly came into collision with his bishop, and was suspended from his office. In the meantime he reconsidered his position and repented of his defection. Brenan went to a neighbouring Capuchin friary, explained what had happened, and begged to be admitted into the Order.
After some time, his request was granted, and he became a Capuchin friar at Wexford, where in later years he wrote (as a penance, it is said) his Ecclesiastical History of Ireland (2 vols, Dublin, 1840, revised ed, 1864).
Brenan died in Dublin during February 1847.