Wayfinding for seafarers meant skilled observation of weather, clouds, stars, birds and currents. By reading nature’s formations, sailors could tell where they were, or which way they needed to go, and how much farther they had to travel ahead.
On this page, we’ll post maps of two kinds:
Maps of 16th C Ireland, Clew Bay topography, Clan boundaries, cliffs and ports, and possible sea routes Gráinne might have taken.
And we need maps of family trees! In medieval times, Bards recited the lineages, the pedigrees, of noble families. Naming conventions led to naming sons after fathers, so one could be Richard, son of Richard, son of Richard and the Bards kept everyone sorted out. Fortunately for us, in common practice they had nicknames, like The Devil’s Hook, or, Of the Wardens – the Keepers of the Sea, or, The Bald.
Once you get your hands on the book, you’re going to relish having this cast of characters!
For the art and science of sea navigation and more, please visit this page and this page.