Welcome to this fantastic story of the Voyage of Bran, from Irish mythology. I have always had an infinity with the sea, partially from spending five years in the Irish Naval Service in Ireland. Stories of Manannán mac Lír and the Voyage of Bran always held a special spot in my heart.
Here, I will give you a complete introduction to the story of the Voyage of Bran. This tale is replicated in various other stories of people leaving the Island of Ireland and always longing to return. I hope you enjoy this information. If you ever feel a pull to visit Ireland, remember, it’s probably the old Irish in your blood.
Table of Contents
The Voyage of Bran
One day, Bran mac Febail, a noble warrior and chieftain, was wandering near his stronghold when he came across a strange, enchanting melody. The music was so sweet and hypnotic that it lulled him into a deep sleep.
When Bran awoke, he found a silver branch with white blossoms lying beside him. It seemed otherworldly, its scent and beauty beyond anything found in Ireland. As he marvelled at it, a mysterious woman appeared before him.
She spoke in verse, describing a land of eternal youth, beauty, and joy—Emain Ablach (the Isle of Apples), a paradise across the sea with no sorrow, old age, or death. She urged Bran to set sail across the ocean, telling him he was destined to reach this Otherworldly land. Then, as mysteriously as she appeared, she vanished.
Bran, deeply moved, gathered three groups of nine warriors and set out in a fleet of curraghs (leather boats) to search for this fabled land.
Manannán mac Lir’s Prophecy
As Bran and his men sailed across the vast, endless sea, they encountered something extraordinary.
Out of the mist, a majestic figure appeared—Manannán mac Lir, the great god of the sea and guardian of the Otherworld. He rode his magical horse, Aonbharr, which galloped effortlessly across the waves as if they were solid ground.
Manannán greeted Bran and revealed a hidden truth—what Bran saw as an empty, endless sea was, to Manannán’s eyes, a land filled with flowers, trees, and rolling green hills. The god explained that the Otherworld existed alongside the mortal realm, but only those who were chosen could see it.
Manannán foretold Bran’s destiny, speaking of a future where his descendants would become great kings and warriors. Then, with a parting blessing, he disappeared into the mist, leaving Bran and his men to continue their journey.
The Isle of Joy
After some time, the voyagers came upon an island unlike any they had ever seen. It was a place of laughter and joy, where men and women played and feasted endlessly, their hearts light and carefree.
Bran sent a warrior ashore to explore, but as soon as the man stepped onto the land, he began laughing uncontrollably and refused to return. No matter how much Bran and his men called to him, he ignored them, lost in the strange magic of the island.
Realising that this place was a trap, Bran and his crew sailed away, leaving their lost companion behind.
The Land of Women
Continuing their journey, Bran and his men reached another island, the Land of Women, where they were warmly welcomed by a beautiful Otherworldly queen and her attendants.
The queen invited them to stay, and, enchanted by the hospitality, beauty, and endless pleasures of this realm, they accepted. Each man was paired with a woman, and time seemed to pass in a dream-like bliss.
However, after what felt like only a year, Bran’s men began to long for Ireland. The queen warned them that they had actually been in the Otherworld for many centuries—if they returned to Ireland, they could never set foot on land again.
Ignoring the warning, Bran and his men set sail back home, taking one final farewell gift from the queen—a silver ball of thread to guide their way.
The Return to Ireland
As Bran’s boat reached the shores of Ireland, they saw people gathered, curious at their arrival. But when Bran called out his name, the locals looked at him in shock—they had only heard of Bran mac Febail in ancient legends. His name had been recorded in Ireland’s oldest stories, and no one from his time was still alive.
One of Bran’s men, eager to prove they had truly returned home, leapt from the boat onto Irish soil. The moment his feet touched the ground, he crumbled to dust, having aged all the centuries he had lost in an instant.
Horrified, Bran understood the queen’s warning. He and the remaining crew did not set foot on land. Instead, they spoke their tale to the people of Ireland, passing on the knowledge of the Otherworld, before sailing away never to be seen again.
Reflection on Myth and Meaning:
Conclusion – Bran’s Eternal Voyage
Bran and his men were never heard from again, leaving their fate unknown. Some say they continued sailing, forever seeking another Otherworldly paradise. Others believe they crossed fully into the Otherworld, becoming immortal.
The story of The Voyage of Bran symbolises:
✔️ The call of the Otherworld and the thin veil between reality and the mystical.
✔️ Time distortion in the Otherworld, where years can pass in what feels like days.
✔️ The wisdom of Manannán mac Lir, guiding mortals to their fate.
✔️ The longing for adventure and the dangers of leaving one’s homeland.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Voyage of Bran! We hope you’ve enjoyed diving into the enchanting world of Irish myth and that you’ll keep exploring the rich tapestry of Celtic storytelling.
Recommended Books
Meyer, Kuno. The Voyage of Bran, Son of Febal, to the Land of the Living: An Old Irish Saga; Volume 1. Legare Street Press (2022)
