First Three Hundred Years
Tuatha Dé Danann Visiting the Swans
An illustration from the early 1900s of the Tuatha Dé Danann at the lake with the children of Lir, after they had been turned into swans by a spell. People came from near and far to hear the swans sing, because they loved the children of Lir.
Tuatha Dé Danann Visiting the Swans
Tuatha Dé Danann Visiting the Swans
An illustration from the early 1900s of the Tuatha Dé Danann at the lake with the children of Lir, after they had been turned into swans by a spell. People came from near and far to hear the swans sing, because they loved the children of Lir.
Once Aoife's spell was cast, the children of Lir were destined to spend three hundred years trapped on Lake Derravaragh. However, things were not so bad there. Every day, they were visited by family and friends. The people of the Tuatha Dé Danann loved the swans and came from near and far to hear their enchanting song, which lifted the spirits of all who heard it.
In this way, the first three hundred years passed fairly contentedly. However, the time came when swans had to leave to fulfil the next stage of the spell. They were now destined to spend three hundred years in the Sea of Moyle, a fierce, cold stretch of sea between Ireland and Scotland.
Second Three Hundred Years
Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra and Conn said farewell to the Tuatha Dé Danann and made for the icy sea of Moyle. There was great sadness in their hearts, as they feared they would not see their people again.
A sadness covered the whole of Ireland when it was heard these four beautiful swans were to go to the harsh, bitter sea of Moyle. As a result, there was a decree that no swans should be killed from that day on throughout the whole of Ireland, on pain of severe penalty.
The Antrim Coastline
This a picture of the sea by Giant's Causeway in Co. Antrim. On a stormy night, the children of Lir endured harsh conditions in the sea off the Antrim coast.
Courtesy of Nicola Smith.The Antrim Coastline
Courtesy of Nicola Smith.
Courtesy of Nicola Smith.
The Antrim Coastline
This a picture of the sea by Giant's Causeway in Co. Antrim. On a stormy night, the children of Lir endured harsh conditions in the sea off the Antrim coast.
Courtesy of Nicola Smith.In the day time, the swans could stay on the banks of the Sea of Moyle in Ireland and Scotland, but when night fell they were forced to return to the sea. They endured many terrible nights, often becoming separated in the chaos of the icy storms.
Between the hard rocks and heavy waves, Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra and Conn endured three hundred slow years until the time came to move on once more.
Final Three Hundred Years
The swans' final destination was the Bay of Erris, close to the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann, where they had lived as children. On their way to Eris, they passed over their old house. It had changed so much that they barely recognised it. Their father's old castle was in ruins, and the landscape was overgrown.
The lives they had known as children were gone. Trapped in swan's bodies with no one in familiar faces but one another's, the last three hundred years was a lonely time for the children of Lir. However, in Eris, at least, it was warmer than the Sea of Moyle and they had plenty of food.