Acknowledgements List of Images Preface The Cartographic History of Brasil Island Mediterranean Mapping and Naming Anglicization The Bristol Voyages and King Arthur on Brasil Island Brasil Island in Irish Folklore Oral Lore Brasil Island in Literature and Legend: The Older Tradition Gaelic Otherworlds Clerical Sea Voyages and St Brendan’s Visit to Brasil Island Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century English Travellers’ Tales An Aborted Irish Attempt to Write about the Island The Vision of Ulster: Brasil Island and National Identity Gaelicization “Hy Brasil: Paradise of the Pagan Irish” in Modern Literature and the Arts From High Art to Popular Culture: Hy Brasil’s Broad Appeal Conclusion Appendix: Cartographic Appearances of Brasil Island Bibliography Index

"This work provides a very good, well-rounded documentation on Hy-Brasil [Hy-Brasil is an island, reputed to lie off the Irish Coast, or maybe off the American coast, or somewhere in between] that is enjoyable to read, filled with compelling concepts and details, and that will be useful in studies from a variety of disciplines and to a wide audience [including historians, map historians, cultural anthropologists, as well as to those engaged in medieval or seventeenth century studies … The writing is interesting and each point is developed well." – David J. Bertuca, Map and GIS Librarian, University at Buffalo, in: The Globe (Journal of The Australian and New Zealand Map Society Inc.) 74 (2014) "… voor wie wil weten hoe een kartografische vergissing een rol kan spelen in de vorming van een nationale identiteit, en hoe de wens daarbij soms de vader van de gedachte kan zijn, is dit boek fascinerende lectuur." [".. This book is a fascinating read for those interested to know how cartographic mistakes can play a role in the creation of a national identity, showing how the wish can be father to the thought."] – Pieter Jan Klapwijk, in: Caert-Thresoor 33/1 (2014), pp. 28-29 "The great merit of Freitag’s study lies in disentangling and transparently representing the various narratives [of Brasil Island] which turned a cartographic error into a cultural icon. […] Because of their sober and lucid – but never dismissive – deconstruction, Freitag’s study deserves to be read." – Jürgen Kramer, Dortmund, in: International Journal of Maritime History XXV/2 (2013), pp. 300-2