An Immram (pl. Immrama) is one of a class of Old Irish tales concerning a hero's sea journey to the Otherworld (see Tír na nÓg and Mag Mell). Written in the Christian era and essentially Christian in aspect, they preserve elements of Irish mythology. "Immram" is usually translated as "Voyage". In Modern Irish orthography, the word is iomramh. 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. The Latin 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
