An Irish precursor of Dante : a study on the Vision of Heaven and Hell ascribed to the eighth-century Irish saint Adamnán, with translation of the Irish text

Step into the luminous world of an eighth‑century Irish saint who mapped the afterlife with a poet’s eye. The book offers a faithful translation of Adamnán’s vision of heaven and hell, rendering the original Gaelic language into clear, listenable prose while preserving its striking symbolic detail. Alongside the translation, the author provides concise introductions that explain the monastic context and the theological ideas that shaped the description.

In the second part, the study traces how this Irish otherworld narrative fits into the long river of medieval imagination that later fed Dante’s famous journey. Comparative notes show parallels and divergences without claiming a direct line of influence, inviting listeners to appreciate the shared mythic currents across cultures. Scholars and curious ears alike will find the blend of story and analysis a compelling glimpse into early medieval thought and its lasting echo in Western literature.