{"id":5440,"date":"2022-04-07T11:46:24","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T09:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/?p=5440"},"modified":"2023-02-21T14:16:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T13:16:04","slug":"the-children-of-lir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/the-children-of-lir\/","title":{"rendered":"The Children of Lir: The Legend, its Origin and Role in Irish Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-10::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-10{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-11::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-11{display:block;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head.jpg\" alt=\"The Chldren of Lir Sculpture at Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.\" class=\"wp-image-13486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20600'%3E%3Crect%20width='800'%20height='600'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"The Chldren of Lir Sculpture at Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.\" class=\"wp-image-13486 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-300x225.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-510x382.jpg.webp 510w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Children-of-Lir-Scuplture-Ballycastle-Fair_Head-480x360.jpg.webp 480w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Chldren of Lir Sculpture at Ballycastle in Northern Ireland. (Photo: Anna Aitken via Shutterstock)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Legend of the Children of Lir<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a country known for its storytelling, Ireland has many wonderful myths and legends. What is the most famous Irish tale of all? It is difficult to say, but the Children of Lir is likely to be a good bet.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legend encompasses the magic of pagan Ireland through to the early Christian times. To complete the fairy tale, there is even a jealous, evil stepmother.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bond between siblings and love of a father for his children help to make this tale popular for all ages. There are many illustrated books of the Children of Lir for kids available.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interestingly, the legend hasn&rsquo;t been a part of Irish culture for quite as long as one may think and the story as we now know it, probably evolved from several combined stories in probably the mid-19th century.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><strong>The Children of Lir Story<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5469 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_in_flight.jpg\" alt=\"Swan in flight\" class=\"wp-image-5469\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_in_flight.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Swan in flight\" class=\"wp-image-5469 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_in_flight.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Swans are magnificent birds, especially in flight. (Photo &copy; Andhoj via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several versions of the Children of Lir story, including different spelling variations of the names of the main characters and the locations where they stayed. Based on our research, this is our interpretation of the legend. We hope you enjoy it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>The King of the Tuatha D&eacute; Danann<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tuatha d&eacute; Danann was an ancient mythic race in Ireland, thought to have godly or otherworldly powers. To strengthen the group against invading peoples, such as the Milesians, the decision was made to elect a king.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bodh Dearg (sometimes also known as Bodb) was the chosen favorite to take this coveted kingship. This decision was said to be contested by his rival Lir, who believed that if he was crowned King Lir, that the kingdom would be better served.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In an effort to appease his rival, Bodh Dearg offered Lir his daughter&rsquo;s hand in marriage on the condition that Lir would accept him as king.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This deal was agreed to and a wedding was arranged between Lir and Bodh Dearg&rsquo;s daughter, Aobh.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their union produced four children, the eldest was a girl and the younger three were boys.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra and Conn were the names of the Children of Lir. Some versions say that the children were two sets of twins, others say that just the two younger boys were twins.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tragedy struck the young family when Aobh died after giving birth to Fiachra and Conn. and left behind a grief-stricken husband and young children.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Bodh Dearg heard of the sad news about his daughter, he offered another of his daughter&rsquo;s to Lir. Aoife was Aobh&rsquo;s younger sister and became stepmother to her sister&rsquo;s children.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n                <div class=\"ml-form-embed\" data-account=\"1451834:z8v5q8j9c3\" data-form=\"1342994:q3e2p6\">\n                <\/div>\n            \n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>The Evil Stepmother<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the tale goes, the children were beautiful, talented and well liked by all, especially their adoring father. Aoife became jealous of the children and the close bond they shared with their father.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, Aoife became more frustrated with the situation and her jealousy grew each day. She sought to have Lir&rsquo;s love and affection for herself and even pretended to have an illness in the hope that she would become his central focus.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>A Curse of 900 Years<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5456 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_taking_flight_River_Shannon_Ireland.jpg\" alt=\"Swans taking flight\" class=\"wp-image-5456\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_taking_flight_River_Shannon_Ireland.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Swans taking flight\" class=\"wp-image-5456 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_taking_flight_River_Shannon_Ireland.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Swans are a protected species in Ireland. Mute swans (Eala bhalbh in Irish) are resident in Ireland all year round are found through the island in lakes, ponds, rivers and coastal areas. (Photo &copy; LindaMarieCaldwell via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After her initial attempts to capture Lir&rsquo;s attention failed, Aoife opted for a more drastic plan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One day she ordered the children to get ready for a visit to their grandfather Bodh Dearg. En route she commanded the servants to stop the chariot at the Lake Derravaragh and to kill the children.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shocked at the barbaric request, the servants refused to act upon Aoife&rsquo;s wishes. This insolence made Aoife even more furious so she decided to murder the children herself, but could not bring herself to do so.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead Aoife cast a spell on the four children and transformed them into four white swans.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She told them that they were cursed for nine hundred years. For the first three hundred years they were to stay at Lough Derravaragh (County Westmeath), then they would be banished to the cold Straits of Moyle (between Ireland and Scotland) and the remaining three hundred years at Irrus Domnann (County Mayo).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The curse would only be broken by the marriage of a Prince from the north and a Princess from the south of the island and the sound of a Christian bell.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fionnuala pleaded with Aoife to be merciful and so Aoife left the swans with the ability to talk with human voices and sing enchanting songs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aoife then abandoned the four swans in the lake and traveled onwards to her father.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Aoife&rsquo;s Punishment<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5464 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stormy_Seas_with_lightening.jpg\" alt=\"Stormy Seas\" class=\"wp-image-5464\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stormy_Seas_with_lightening.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Stormy Seas\" class=\"wp-image-5464 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stormy_Seas_with_lightening.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Aoife was transformed into a howling demon of the air. (Photo &copy; tunart via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was unusual that the children were not with their stepmother and Bodh Dearg became suspicious when Aoife said that the children were with their father. He secretly sent servants to investigate and once Lir was told that the children were missing he feared something terrible had happened.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lir left immediately to visit Bodh Dearg and to find out what Aoife had done with the children. On his journey, Lir passed Lake <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Derravaragh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and heard swans singing a beautiful song.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mesmerizing song captivated his attention and he went to get a closer look of where the song was coming from. It was then that he discovered his children in the form of swans.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They told him of Aoife&rsquo;s failed plan to slaughter them out of jealousy and the nine hundred year curse that she put on them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After staying one night with the swans, Lir traveled to Bodh Dearg where he confronted Aoife. As punishment for her terrible deed, Bodh Dearg transformed her into a demon of the air with his druids staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it is stormy and the wind from the north howls, it is said that Aoife is the demon behind the screams and wails.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>The First Three Hundred Years<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5447 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Lough_Derravaragh_County_Westmeath.jpg\" alt=\"Lough Derravagh in County Westmeath\" class=\"wp-image-5447\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Lough_Derravaragh_County_Westmeath.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Lough Derravagh in County Westmeath\" class=\"wp-image-5447 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Lough_Derravaragh_County_Westmeath.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Children of Lir spent their first three hundred years as swans at Lough Derravaragh in County Westmeath. (Photo &copy; Conor D via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A saddened Lir returned to Lake Derravaragh to be with his children, the four beautiful swans.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first three hundred years of the curse, the swans lived a relatively peaceful existence together with their father, who relocated to be with them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is said that Lir remained at this location with them for entire three hundred years<\/span>. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(As he was a member of the Tuath d&eacute; Dannan, he is said to have lived for a very long time!)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Straits of Moyle<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5449 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/View_From_Ballycastle_to_the-Straits_of_Moyle.jpg\" alt=\"View of the Straits of Moyle, from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5449\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/View_From_Ballycastle_to_the-Straits_of_Moyle.jpg.webp\" alt=\"View of the Straits of Moyle, from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5449 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/View_From_Ballycastle_to_the-Straits_of_Moyle.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The view from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, looking out on the the Straits of Moyle, with Scotland seen on the horizon. (Photo &copy; Artur Kosmatka via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second part of their sentence was to be executed on the Straits of Moyle (or Sea of Moyle). This is the narrowest stretch of sea in the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cold, harsh conditions of this barren expanse of water inflicted much suffering on the swans.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stormy seas continually threatened to separate the siblings. The thought of enduring the hardship alone was too much for the swans and Fionnuala helped to sustain her brothers by vowing to always stay together and meet on Carraig na Ron (Seal&rsquo;s Rock) if they were to become parted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One moment of joy for the swans occurred near the end of their time on the Straits of Moyle.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the Tuath d&eacute; Dannan had been searching for the Children of Lir for years. After finally finding the swans, they recounted tales of Lir, Bodh Dearg and their homeland.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This encounter lifted the spirits of the swans for the final part of the curse in Irrus Domnann.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Irrus Domnann&nbsp;<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5451 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mayo_Coastline_Ireland.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo Coastline, Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5451\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mayo_Coastline_Ireland.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Mayo Coastline, Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5451 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mayo_Coastline_Ireland.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The swans spent their final three hundred years off in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Mayo. (Photo &copy; Simon Roughneen via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When three hundred years on the Straits of Moyle had passed, the swans flew to Irrus Domnann<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and hoped that their final sentence would be easier than the one they had just completed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, the opposite was true and more torturous, freezing conditions faced them during this time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sea is said to have frozen around them. Fionnuala once again tried to keep her brothers safe and warm in the appalling conditions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the three hundred years, the swans return to where they had left their father. He has long since died and only ruins and abandonment await them on their return.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Breaking the Curse<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5453 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mute_Swan_Ireland.jpg\" alt=\"Mute Swan Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5453\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mute_Swan_Ireland.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Mute Swan Ireland\" class=\"wp-image-5453 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mute_Swan_Ireland.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The swans transformed by into elderly people at the end of the curse. (Photo &copy; Rory Ferguson via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The swans must now wait for the curse to be broken. They are thought to have based themselves on <em>Inis Gluaire<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;(also known as Inishglora or Inis Glora) off the west coast of Mayo.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was here that the swans are thought to have heard the first Christian bells and they met&nbsp; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mochaomhog (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sometimes also known as Saint <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mochaomhog or Caomhog).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had been searching for the Children of Lir and taught the swans about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saint Patrick and Christianity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around the same time, a Prince from the North, Lairgnen married a Princess from the south, Deoch and thus completed the prophecy that Aoife had described all those centuries before.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deoch heard of the enchanted singing swans and wanted to have them. When Mochaomhog refused to hand them over to her Lairgnen became involved and he touched one of the swans.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This act was sufficient to break the curse and suddenly all of the feathers fell off the swans and there stood four frail individuals, one woman and three men.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Fionnuala&rsquo;s Wish<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With her last remaining energy, Fionnuala asked Mochaomhog to baptize her and her brothers before they died. He willingly did and also carried out Fionnuala&rsquo;s last wish that they would never be separated and be buried together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Fionnuala requested, the siblings were laid to rest together. Fiachra was buried on her left side and Conn on her right. Aodh was buried between her two hugging arms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Origin of the Children of Lir Legend<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5466 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_on_the_canal_Dublin.jpg\" alt=\"Swans on the Grand Canal, Dublin\" class=\"wp-image-5466\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_on_the_canal_Dublin.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Swans on the Grand Canal, Dublin\" class=\"wp-image-5466 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swans_on_the_canal_Dublin.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-9\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Swans are a regular sight in Ireland, like here on the Grand Canal in Dublin. (Photo &copy; edfuentesg via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evidence suggests that the oldest record of the Children of Lir story dates back to about the 15th century.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might be often overlooked, but literate monks probably played a significant role in recording and preserving Irish myths and legends in manuscripts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eugene O&rsquo;Curry is thought to have written the Children of Lir that we are familiar with today in 1863 by piecing together the story from a number of the ancient Irish manuscripts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This version served as the foundation for the other modern interpretations by folklorists.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1895, before becoming Ireland&rsquo;s first president, Douglas Hyde published translated versions of the Children of Lir, as well as the other tragedies &ldquo;the Sorrow of Deirdre&rdquo; and the &ldquo;Children of Tuireann&rdquo;.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After he took office in 1938, increased demand for these stories resulted in them being reprinted in 1939, 1940 and 1941.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The famous Irish dramatist and folklorist, Lady Augusta Gregory, also wrote her own version of the Children of Lir, which she published in 1904.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Swans in Irish Mythology<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5462 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_on_water.jpg\" alt=\"Elegant swan in water\" class=\"wp-image-5462\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_on_water.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Elegant swan in water\" class=\"wp-image-5462 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Swan_on_water.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-10\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The graceful, elegant nature of swans has long captured the imaginations of storytellers, not only in Ireland but also other parts of the world. (Photos &copy; complex via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Children of Lir is not the only Irish legend to involve swans. In fact, there have been several tales from Irish folklore of humans transforming themselves into swans.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples include the complicated love story of Midir and &Eacute;ta&iacute;n, when the two lovers escape together as swans and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Derbforgaill, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C&uacute; chulainn&rsquo;s Scandinavian Princess lover transformed herself into a swan so that she could fly to her beloved C&uacute; Chulainn.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Unfortunately, the meeting didn&rsquo;t go quite as planned. C&uacute; Chulainn did not recognize Derbforgaill in the form of a swan and shot her down from the sky with his slingshot. Once he realized his mistake, he saved her life, but as he had tasted her blood while rescuing her he could no longer marry her.)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><strong>Children of Lir Art<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Garden of Remembrance in Dublin is a memorial space that is dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the pursuit of Irish freedom. It is then fitting that the main design feature is a statue of the Children of Lir, by Ois&iacute;n Kelly that was added in 1971.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This monument symbolizes the hardship that the Irish people experienced under British rule, followed by the rebirth of the Irish nation after the struggles for independence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-5458 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Children_of_Lir_Scupture_Ballycastle_Northern_Ireland.jpg\" alt=\"Children of Lir sculpture in Ballycastle, County Antrim\" class=\"wp-image-5458\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Children_of_Lir_Scupture_Ballycastle_Northern_Ireland.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Children of Lir sculpture in Ballycastle, County Antrim\" class=\"wp-image-5458 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Children_of_Lir_Scupture_Ballycastle_Northern_Ireland.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-11\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The last golden rays of the sun can be seen behind the Children of Lir sculpture in Ballycastle, County Antrim. (Photo &copy; Alex Leonard via Canva)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More recently a sculpture of the Children of Lir has been erected on the shore front in front of the hotel and shops in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. From here you can look out onto the Straits of Moyle and see Scotland on the horizon.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This stunning piece is the work of sculptor <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malcolm Robertson and depicts the swans in graceful flight heading out to sea.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the Mayo clifftop, at Carrowteige to the north west of Belmullet, there is another striking building entitled &ldquo;A Home for the Children of Lir&rdquo;.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the Spirit of Place Sculpture Trail pieces that celebrates architecture and mythology at unique locations across the world, with several installations in County Mayo.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are in the area around north west Mayo and want to go on a spectacular headland loop walk, then the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverireland.ie\/mayo\/carrowteige-children-of-lir-loop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><b>Children of Lir Loop Walk<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which includes this sculpture is a great option.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For plenty more interesting information about ancient Ireland discover our posts on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/celtic-symbols-and-meanings\/\"><strong>Celtic symbols<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/celtic-knot-meanings\/\"><strong>Celtic knots<\/strong><\/a> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/celtic-cross\/\">Celtic Crosses<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them, we might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Legend of the Children of Lir As a country known for its storytelling, Ireland has many wonderful myths and legends. What is the most famous Irish tale of all? &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13486,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[90,146],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Children of Lir: The Legend, its Origin and Role in Irish Culture<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Children of Lir: Magic, Jealousy, Heartbreak &amp; Love: The Irish legend of four children transformed into swans for 900 years .\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/the-children-of-lir\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" 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