Between its shining shores and Ireland, strange islands--dwelt in by dreadful or by fair and gracious creatures, whose wonders Maeldun and Brendan visited--lay like jewels on the green and sapphire waters.

Out of this vast ocean emerged also their fiercest enemies.

Thither, beyond these islands into the Unknown, over the waves on a fairy steed, went Oisin with Niam; thither, in after years, sailed St Brendan, till it seemed he touched America.

In the ocean depths were fair cities and well-grassed lands and cattle, which voyagers saw through water thin and clear.

There, too, Brian, one of the sons of Turenn, descended in his water-dress and his crystal helmet, and found high-bosomed maidens weaving in a shining hall.