- Immram
An Immram (plural Immrama;
Modern Irish : "iomramh") is one of a class of Old Irish tales concerning a hero's sea journey to theOtherworld (seeTír na nÓg andMag Mell ). Written in the Christian era and essentially Christian in aspect, they preserve elements ofIrish mythology . "Immram" is usually translated as "Voyage".Medieval lists name seven immrama, three of which survive: "
The Voyage of Mael Dúin ", "The Voyage of the Uí Chorra ", and "The Voyage of Snedgus and Mac Riagla ". "The Voyage of Bran " is classified in these same lists as an "Echtra ", or "Adventure", though it also contains the essential elements of the immrama. TheLatin "Voyage of St. Brendan" could also be called an immram. The immrama are identifiable by their focus on the exploits of the heroes during their search for the Otherworld, located in these cases in the islands far to the west of Ireland. The hero sets out on his voyage for the sake of adventure or to fulfill his destiny, and generally stops on other fantastic islands before reaching his destination. He may or may not be able to return home again.References
*James MacKillop, "Dictionary of Celtic Mythology", Oxford:1998. ISBN 0-19-860967-1
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