The Mythological Island of Hy-Brasil: A Tale of Mystique and Mystery

“and sure as home we come to newsky prospect from west the wave on schedule time (if I came any quicker I'll be right back before I left) from the land of breach of promise with Brendan's mantle whitening the Kerribrasilian sea” FW.442.14

 

The world is teeming with myths, legends, and stories of places that exist only in the realm of imagination. One such place is the mythological island of Hy-Brasil. Said to be located off the western coast of Ireland, this island has captured the human imagination for centuries, becoming a symbol of the unexplained and the mystical.

 

Although Hy-Brasil is a phantom island it has been appearing on maps since the 14th century, but its origins go back much further. The island is said to be circular, covered in lush vegetation, and inhabited by an advanced and peaceful civilization. Legends tell of its frequent disappearance, concealed by fog and mist, and reappearing at irregular intervals. This inherent elusiveness has contributed to its mystique, as tales of mariners and adventurers searching for the fabled island have spread far and wide.

 

The name "Hy-Brasil" is believed to be derived from the Irish term "Hy Breasal," which means "Isle of the Blessed." The island is often associated with ancient Celtic and Druidic lore, adding an aura of spirituality and magic to its legend. Some claim that it is the final resting place of the gods, a paradise lost to humanity.

 

Hy-Brasil's appearance on maps can be traced back to the early European explorers and cartographers, such as the Catalan Atlas of 1375 and the Piri Reis map of 1513. These maps depict the island as a circular landmass in the Atlantic Ocean, usually situated to the west of Ireland. However, it's important to note that Hy-Brasil is always portrayed as being separate from the mainland, highlighting its enigmatic nature. Its exact location on maps varied, further complicating the task of those who sought to find it.

 

The mythology surrounding Hy-Brasil has been kept alive through oral traditions, seafaring tales, and the written word. Stories of sailors who claimed to have glimpsed the island and the mysterious disappearances that surrounded it became part of maritime folklore. It is said that, on the rare occasions when Hy-Brasil revealed itself, those who set foot on its shores would be greeted by the island's enigmatic inhabitants. The people of Hy-Brasil were believed to possess advanced knowledge and a deep connection to nature, making them guardians of ancient wisdom.

 

The mystery of Hy-Brasil only deepened as explorers and sailors tried in vain to locate the island. Numerous expeditions were launched over the centuries, all ending in disappointment and failure. Even famous figures like John Cabot and the Italian explorer John Cabot were said to have embarked on quests to find Hy-Brasil but never returned.

 

As time passed and our understanding of the world improved, the myth of Hy-Brasil gradually lost its credibility. Modern cartography and satellite imagery have debunked the existence of this mysterious island. In reality, there is no physical evidence of Hy-Brasil, and it has been largely relegated to the realm of folklore and legend.

Title: The Legacy of Persse Whiskey: Crafting Excellence on Nun's Island

 

Galway, a city known for its rich history and cultural heritage, has been home to many notable landmarks and traditions. Among them, the Persse whiskey distillery stands out as a testament to both the city's distilling heritage and its unique connections to literary figures like Lady Augusta Gregory. The connection between the Persse family and Lady Gregory occurred through marriage. In 1880, Lady Gregory's daughter, Isabella Augusta Persse, married Sir William Henry Gregory, thus connecting the two families. This union brought Lady Gregory to Galway, where she would spend a significant portion of her life.

The Distillery Complex: A Monument of Craftsmanship

The Persse whiskey distillery on Nun's Island spanned over seven acres. This expansive complex stood as a testament to the Persse family's unwavering commitment to the art of whiskey making. Its sheer scale demonstrated their ambition and their significant contribution to the local economy, providing employment opportunities in the Galway region.

 Sourcing Grain from Kinvara

 A distinctive hallmark of Persse whiskey was its commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, particularly grain from the neighbouring region of Kinvara. This choice of local grains reflected an earnest desire to encapsulate the authenticity and uniqueness of the Galway region within each bottle of Persse whiskey. It was a deliberate effort to craft a spirit that was a genuine representation of the character and terroir of the area.

 Aging Excellence: 7 and 10-Year-Old Whiskey

 Persse whiskey gained fame for its meticulous aging processes, with offerings available as both 7 and 10-year-old expressions. These extended aging periods showcased the distillery's dedication to producing high-quality spirits. The patience and care taken during aging resulted in complex, mature flavours that garnered a dedicated following among connoisseurs and aficionados. Persse whiskey became synonymous with excellence and craftsmanship.

 Challenges and Tarnished Reputation

 

Despite its success and popularity, Persse whiskey faced significant challenges that threatened its reputation. Unscrupulous publicans were found to be diluting the whiskey to increase their profits, a practice that cast a shadow on the distillery's integrity. This led to a series of court cases that not only affected the distillery's financial standing but also damaged its reputation. These legal battles served as a reminder of the difficulties that the distillery had to contend with during its operation.

 From John Joyce to the Persse Family

 The origins of the distillery can be traced back to the 1700s when it was operated by John Joyce. However, in 1840, a pivotal moment in its history occurred when the Persse family acquired the distillery. Under their ownership, the distillery thrived, reaching its zenith and producing an impressive 10,000 gallons of whiskey per week during its peak years. The Persse family's leadership marked a transformative period in the distillery's history.

 The End of an Era

 Despite its remarkable success, Persse Distilleries faced challenges in the early 20th century. Changing market dynamics, economic difficulties, and the aforementioned reputation issues all contributed to the distillery's eventual closure in 1908. The closure marked the end of an era in Galway's distilling history and brought an unfortunate end to a significant chapter in Irish whiskey production.

 In Conclusion

 Persse whiskey distillery on Nun's Island is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and resilience of the Persse family in the 19th century. It became one of the most successful distilleries in Ireland, known for producing high-quality whiskey that authentically represented the Galway region. Despite its challenges and eventual closure, the legacy of Persse whiskey endures as a significant chapter in both Galway's distilling heritage and the broader history of Irish whiskey. It serves as a reminder of the enduring spirit of craftsmanship that defines the world of whiskey.

St. Brendan the Navigator: His Connections with Galway and Clonfert

In the quest to explore the life and legends surrounding St. Brendan the Navigator and his connections with Galway and Clonfert, it is crucial to recognise the profound impact that visiting these sites can have on one's understanding. Just as I embarked on an expedition to Clonfert during my search for inspiration for the Galway Project, I realised the importance of first-hand experience in grasping the history and significance of these locations. I had seen photos of the Romanesque doorway and stonework adorning the small cathedral, and I knew that St. Brendan's grave rested there. However, it became clear that to truly connect with the history and spirituality of these places, one must stand on the same ground, breathe in the atmosphere, and witness the tangible relics of the past. In my journey to Clonfert, I aimed to find not only the physical remnants but also the essence of St. Brendan, just as James Joyce sought to uncover the multifaceted symbolism and timeless themes associated with this revered Irish figure in his masterpiece, "Finnegans Wake."

St. Brendan the Navigator, also known as St. Brendan of Clonfert, was a legendary Irish saint whose life and adventures have captured the imagination of people for centuries. He is revered not only for his religious contributions but also for his remarkable journeys across the sea.

St. Brendan, born in the year 484 AD in the Kingdom of Munster, Ireland, was destined for a life of devotion to the Christian faith. He entered the monastic life and eventually founded a monastery at Ardfert in County Kerry. However, it is his remarkable voyages that have made him famous worldwide. St. Brendan is often referred to as "the Navigator" because of his legendary voyage to the "Isle of the Blessed" or "Saint Brendan's Island." This journey, recounted in the "Navigatio Sancti Brendani" or "The Voyage of St. Brendan," is one of the earliest and most celebrated travel narratives in European history.

“And all the Dunders de Dunnes in Markland's Vineland beyond Brendan's herring pool takes number nine in yangsee's hats.” FW. 213.35

St. Brendan's connection with Galway lies in his voyage from Ireland, which is said to have started from the Galway Bay area. According to legend, in the 6th century, St. Brendan embarked on a seven-year journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a small boat made of animal skins and wood. His voyage was not only a religious pilgrimage but also an exploration of the unknown. During this journey, he and his companions encountered many fantastical creatures, including sea monsters, birds that sang psalms, and islands that moved.

 One of the most famous episodes from St. Brendan's voyage is the encounter with a giant fish. It is said that St. Brendan and his fellow monks mistook the fish for an island, anchored their boat, and lit a fire. When the fish awoke, it submerged, nearly taking the monks with it. This story has often been interpreted as a symbolic representation of the challenges and trials faced by the early Christian explorers.

 While the historical accuracy of St. Brendan's voyage is debated, there is evidence that his story had a significant impact on the exploration of the Atlantic. Some argue that his journey may have contributed to later European exploration efforts, such as Christopher Columbus' voyages to the Americas.

 Another notable connection between St. Brendan and Galway is the historic Clonfert Cathedral. Clonfert, also known as Clonfert-Mulloe, is a small village in County Galway. It was here that St. Brendan founded a monastery and became the bishop. Clonfert Cathedral, also known as St. Brendan's Cathedral, is a testament to his influence in the region. The cathedral, although much altered over the centuries, still contains elements of its original construction dating back to the 12th century.

St. Brendan's association with Clonfert and the establishment of a Christian community in the area played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity throughout Ireland. His legacy is further preserved in the "Brendan Cross," a stone cross dating to the 9th or 10th century, which stands near the cathedral.

Navigating the Waters of Consciousness: Much like St. Brendan navigated the physical waters of the Atlantic, the characters in "Finnegans Wake" navigate the vast and often turbulent waters of consciousness. St. Brendan's voyages become a metaphor for the human quest for self-discovery and understanding.

 The Wake as an Epic Journey: The structure of "Finnegans Wake" itself can be seen as a kind of epic journey, with the novel looping back on itself, just as Brendan's voyages are said to be cyclical. The circular and nonlinear narrative mirrors the cyclical nature of history, myth, and human experience.

 In "Finnegans Wake," St. Brendan serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing themes of exploration, pilgrimage, cyclical time, and the interplay between tradition and modernity. Joyce's use of allusion and wordplay makes references to St. Brendan just one layer of the complex narrative, inviting readers to dive into the depths of his work and explore the myriad connections and interpretations that can be drawn from it. The structure of "Finnegans Wake" itself can be seen as a kind of epic journey, with the novel looping back on itself, just as Brendan's voyages are said to be cyclical. The circular and nonlinear narrative mirrors the cyclical nature of history, myth, and human experience.

 In conclusion, St. Brendan the Navigator is a legendary figure in Irish history and Christian tradition. His connection with Galway is rooted in the legends of his epic voyage, which is said to have started from the Galway Bay area. Additionally, his association with the monastery of Clonfert in County Galway underscores his significant contributions to the spread of Christianity in Ireland. St. Brendan's legacy continues to inspire those interested in both religious history and the adventurous spirit of exploration, making him a revered figure not only in Ireland but also in the broader context of world history.

Title: Lynch Castle Galway: Unravelling the Myth

Lynch Castle in Galway is a captivating blend of history and legend, nestled within the vibrant streets of this Western Irish city. Its origins are tied to the Lynch family, one of the 14 Tribes of Galway, who played a significant role in the city's economic and political life during medieval and early modern times. We will look at the castle's true history, from its construction to its present-day role, while dispelling the myth of Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen's alleged hanging of his son, Walter, which has become an enduring legend over the centuries. Notably, the legend of Lynch's hanging finds a place in James Joyce's literary masterpiece, "Finnegans Wake."

The Lynch Family: One of the 14 Tribes of Galway

The Lynch family was among the esteemed 14 Tribes of Galway, influential merchant families shaping the city's destiny. Renowned for their commercial acumen, they accumulated wealth and prestige, contributing to Galway's prosperity.

The Myth of Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen and Gomez:

The legend of Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen's hanging of his son, Walter, and the involvement of a young Spaniard named Gomez, originated in a romantic novel written by Reverend Edward Mangin in 1807. Thirteen years later, James Hardiman published "History of Galway," expanding upon Mangin's tale. Despite Mangin's confession of inventing the story and Hardiman's disclaimer regarding the tale's factual basis, the legend took hold and proliferated through literature, plays, and films.  

"I deemed the drugtails in my pettycourts and domstered dustyfeets in my husinclose: at Guy's they were swathed, at Foulke's slashed, the game for a Gomez, the loy for a lynch FW. 545. 42 

The True Story:

Contrary to the legend, there is no historical evidence to support the claim that Mayor Lynch hanged his son. The tale describes Walter's jealousy or greed leading to Gomez's murder. Walter was indeed tried and found guilty, but execution was not carried out. The mayor, also a magistrate, did not resort to hanging his son from a Lombard Street window.

The Transformation of the House:

The house connected to the myth, where the alleged event occurred, was reconstructed in 1624. It was known as "Deadman's Lane" and featured a black marble plaque with a human skull and crossed bones beneath it, possibly erected as a memorial by the Lynch family.

The Demise of the "Cross-Bones House":

The house's condition deteriorated over time. By 1842, it was described as "tottering," and in 1844, town commissioners recognized its danger and decided to demolish it. Financial constraints during the Great Famine prevented its reconstruction.

The Monument's Resurrection:

In 1853, a proposal emerged to erect a monument for the old Cross-Bones plaque. This monument, attributed to Fr. Peter Daly, was positioned near the church, preserving the memory of the Lynch legend.

The Lynch Legend Unveiled:

The myth of Mayor Lynch's son has been definitively debunked by Father Max Mitchell in his 1971 article, "Mayor Lynch of Galway," published in the Galway Archaeological and Historical Journal. Mitchell's research conclusively demonstrated that the legend was indeed a legend, lacking historical authenticity.

Conclusion:

Lynch Castle in Galway, a testament to the Lynch family's legacy, stands as an emblem of the city's history. While the legend of Mayor Lynch's son has captivated imaginations, it remains a work of fiction. Lynch Castle's true history, its construction, decorative features, and contemporary role deserve appreciation for their genuine contribution to Galway's rich heritage.

The Galway Joyce Project. I start out with a map.

  

 

When I embarked on this project, aiming to create a visual response to James Joyce's strong connections with Galway, I initiated my journey with a map. But not just any map of Galway; I began with the 17th-century pictorial map of the city, a rare artifact housed in the James Hardiman Library of the University of Galway. James Joyce himself possessed a printed copy of this map, which he cherished during his time abroad. He took pride in his affiliation with one of the Tribes of Galway and in his beloved Nora's roots in this remarkable city.

My artistic endeavor involved extensive visual research, not limited to this map but also encompassing other historical maps of Galway. My process often commences with the exploration of maps to establish context. I find great fascination in layering maps of the same area, revealing its transformations over time, akin to conducting an archaeological dig where others have laid the groundwork. As I began this journey, with one end anchored in the 17th-century Pictorial Map and the other in the current Geohive map of the city, I filled in the historical development and changes with various other versions. From the outset, I knew that the final artwork would be set against a backdrop of Galway's map, though the precise direction it would take remained uncertain. Now, nearly ten months into the project, I believe it's crucial to commence a blog, chronicling the stages of research, development, and the eventual creation of the final artwork. Here's a glimpse of the remarkable 17th-century Pictorial Map of Galway, which left an indelible mark on me when I visited it in the Hardiman Library about a year ago.

The 17th-century pictorial map of Galway is a rare artifact, surviving in only two known copies – one housed in the James Hardiman Library of Galway University, and the other residing at Trinity College Dublin. This monumental map comprises nine sheets organized into three rows and boasts impressive dimensions of 6 feet 7 inches by 4 feet 6 inches. Historically, it was affixed to fabric, mounted on wooden rollers, and later coated with varnish, aging gracefully to acquire a rich brown hue.

The map's design and layout exemplify the quintessential Renaissance cartographic style. A standout feature of this map is the meticulous identification of 14 principal families along its lower border, collectively known as the Tribes of Galway. These families, including Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy/D'Arcy, Deane, Font, French, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martyn, Morris, and Skerritt, are celebrated as the town's founders. Of these 14, 12 trace their origins to the Anglo-Norman heritage, while the Darcy (Ó Dorchaidhe) and Kirwan (Ó Ciardhubháin) families represent Normanized Irish Gaels.

In 1912, Joyce described the map as follows: "The strangest and most interesting historical document in the city archives is the map of the city made for the Duke of Lorraine in the seventeenth century when His Highness wished to be assured of the city’s greatness on the occasion of a loan requested of him by his English confrere, the happy monarch. The map is replete with symbolic expressions and engravings....The margins of the parchment are adorned with the heraldic arms of the tribes, and the map itself is nothing short of a topographical symphony, revolving around the theme of the number of tribes. Thus, the map enumerates and depicts fourteen bastions, fourteen towers on the wall, fourteen principal streets, fourteen narrow streets, and then transitions to seven gardens, seven altars..., seven markets, and seven other wonders."

 

Although Joyce appears to have drawn upon Hardiman's History of Galway for his historical background, modern research has cast doubts on the link between the map and the proposed treaty with the Duke of Lorraine. The recurring use of the numbers seven and fourteen on the map remains enigmatic, apart from their Christian religious symbolism and the broader Renaissance-era fascination with mathematics and numerology. The map even features a piece of Latin verse that mentions "Galway, Rome of Connacht, twice equals these; She boasts twice seven illustrious families."

 

While the Christian religious significance of the number seven is evident, as is the broader Renaissance interest in mathematics and numerology, the true significance of the numbers seven and fourteen on this map continues to mystify scholars. Speculations abound regarding hidden messages or meanings, but conclusive explanations remain elusive.

 https://nuigarchives.blogspot.com/2013/03/james-joyce-and-topographical-symphony.html

The Wellington Monument

 When I was a child, we used to visit the Phoenix Park and one of my earliest memories was climbing the steps of the Wellington Monument to look for the doorway that would let me inside it. So, when I read the part in Finnegans Wake about the museyroom and the artifacts from the Battle of Waterloo I saw the monument as that Museum. The Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park has an interesting history. Standing at 62 metres tall it is the largest obelisk in Europe. It was built to commemorate the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley who fought against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The structure was originally planned for Merrion Square in Dublin, but the residents didn't want it, so it was decided to build it in the Phoenix Park. The project was begun in 1917 but it ran out of money before it was finished, and it wasn't completed for another 40 years. The plans for a statue in front of the monument of the 1st Duke of Wellington on horseback were ere also scrapped because of the lack of funds. Did you know that the four bronze plaques on the lower half of the monument were cast from cannons that were captured at Waterloo?

James Joyce and Lewis Carroll

 Throughout the pages of Finnegans Wake, we encounter writers and their works that have influenced Joyce. One such author is Lewis Carroll, the penname of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. His timeless and much-loved "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" make many cameo appearances throughout the Wake. Carroll's clever manipulation of language, through puns and nonsensical dialogues, must have tickled Joyce's sense of fun. Joyce himself was the master of puns and language experimentation. Additionally, Carroll's theme of delving into the subconscious and the uncanny resonates in Joyce's work, as both authors explore the complex interplay between reality and imagination, conscious and unconscious thoughts.