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- Duration: 4:52
- Published: 2007-07-18
- Uploaded: 2011-02-11
- Author: thelegendofzeldadd
Legends say its ruler is the Fomorian King Tethra, or more frequently Manannan mac Lir. Mag Mell's allure extended from the pagan era to Christian times. In later stories, the realm is less an afterlife destination than an Earthly Paradise which adventurers could reach by traveling west from Ireland, often blown off course by providential tempests while on an inspired mission. They typically explore many other fantastic islands before reaching their destination and returning home (or sailing on). Among these voyagers are St. Brendan, Bran mac Febal (see The Voyage of Bran), and Mael Dúin.
Irish monks, being celebrated sailors, doubtless inspired such stories and were inspired by them. They reached and colonized any number of faraway islands, and St. Brendan is even speculated to have reached the New World a thousand years before Columbus.
Category:Irish mythology Category:Concepts of Heaven Category:Locations in Celtic mythology Category:Utopias Category:Fictional islands Category:Fictional countries Category:Mythological islands
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