THE CHILDREN OF LIR!

Many years ago, in ancient Ireland there was an a race of gods who conquered and ruled Ireland long before humans did, they were called the Tuatha Dé Danann. When this dominion ended, Bodb Derg became king of the Tuatha Dé Danann much to the annoyance of Lir. To appease him Bodb Derg gave Lir his daughter Aoibh (pronounced EEV) to marry. This caused the conflict to end and an alliance was formed.

Aoibh bore Lir 4 children, one girl Fionnghuala, and three sons, Aodh and twins Fiachra and Conn. After the twins were born Aoibh passed away, causing Lir great grief although he stayed strong because of the love he had for his children. King Bodb then sent Aoibh sister, Aoífe to marry Lir, who had graciously accepted. Aoífe was cunning and one of the very few people well versed in the art of magic. 

After a short period of time Aoífe grew jealous of the love Lir had for his children and for a year she faked an illness to gain his affection. One day Aoífe took her chariot along with the four children, and asked men loyal to her to kill them. They were unable to do so, so she took them to Loch Dairbhreach where she asked them to bathe. Once in the water she transformed them into swans. 

Fearing backlash from Lir's more powerful friends she put a time limit on her curse, 900 years. The Swans had to spend 300 years on Loch Dairbhreach, 300 years on Sruth na Maoilé and the last 300 at Inis Gluairé. The Evil spell would only be broken when the Children of Lir heard the ringing of the bell that signified the arrival of St. Patrick and Christianity. Aoífe allowed the children to retain the power of speech, allowing then to sing songs.

Aoífe went back to live with her father, and when questioned where the children were Aoífe lied saying that Lir did not trust Bodb Derg with his children. Knowing this was untrue the King sent messengers to Lir and the truth was uncovered that Aoífe had done something terribly wrong. Lir travelled to the loch where he heard swans singing in human voices and they told him the story of what happened. Aoífe was punished by being transformed into a demon of the air.

After 300 years the swans took to the air to travel to Sruth na Maoilé. Their time at Loch Dairbhreach was pleasant, but the weather at Maoilé was alot more harsh. They were separated by storms but eventually found each other again One night the waters froze over causing the swans feet to get stuck to the ice. That night they pleaded to God and the heavens to ease the plight of bird and their wish was granted, they were forever protected from storms and bad weather.

Once the 300 years here was up the swans travelled to Inis Gluairé. Here they were accompanied by many other birds. One day the Swans heard the ringing of a bell and it startled them. However Fionnghuala declared that this would free her brothers and herself from the curse. Once the bell stopped tolling the swans began to sing, which caught the attention of the holy man. He told them he travelled to Inis Gluairé for their sake, He took them to the church in silver chains and he protected them. 

News spread and The Queen of Connacht demanded that her husband the King retrieve the swans for her. When the holy man refused the king went there himself and tried to take the swans by force. Once he touched the wings of the swans the sound of a bell rang out. Now stood the Children of Lir. But time caught up and the were aging by the second. Sensing they were close to death they requested to be christened and the holy man agreed. They were christened and died soon after. The holy man felt great sorrow for the children and he buried them. That was the fate of the Children of Lir.