Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER VII: THE VOYAGE OF MAELDUN 281plunged in and drank of the water. From that time so long as helived his eyes were strong and keen, and not a tooth fell from [327]his jaw nor a hair from his head, and he never knew illness orinfirmity.Thereafter they bade farewell to the anchorite, and fared forthon the ocean once more.The Island of the Laughing FolkHere they found a great company of men laughing and playingincessantly. They drew lots as to who should enter and exploreit, and it fell to Maeldūn's foster-brother. But when he set foot onit he at once began to laugh and play with the others, and couldnot leave off, nor would he come back to his comrades. So theyleft him and sailed away. 201The Island of the Flaming RampartThey now came in sight of an island which was not large, andit had about it a rampart of flame that circled round and roundit continually. In one part of the rampart there was an opening,and when this opening came opposite to them they saw throughit the whole island, and saw those who dwelt therein, even menand women, beautiful, many, and wearing adorned garments,with vessels of gold in their hands. And the festal music whichthey made came to the ears of the wanderers. For a long timethey lingered there, watching this marvel, “and they deemed itdelightful to behold.”The Island of the Monk of ToryFar off among the waves they saw what they took to be awhite bird on the water. Drawing near to it they found it to bean aged man clad only in the white hair of his body, and he was [328]throwing himself in prostrations on a broad rock.“From Torach 202 I have come hither,” he said, “and there I201 This disposes of the last of the foster-brothers, who should not have joinedthe party.202 Tory Island, off the Donegal coast. There was there a monastery and achurch dedicated to St. Columba.