The Children of Lir is an old Irish legend I have loved ever since I was a little girl growing up in Dublin. I listened enraptured as my grandaunt Nan told the tale of the four children who were turned into swans by their jealous stepmother, Aoife.
Today let’s explore this wonderful, yet sad Irish tale from days gone by. To mark the importance of the Children of Lir in Irish folklore and history, we’ll have a little giveaway for a magnificent pendant designed by Tracy Gilbert, an outstandingly skilled Irish jeweler.
Tracy will introduce her work in just a little while, but first let’s learn about the Children of Lir…..
The Children Of Lir:
A long, long time ago in Ireland there a lived a King called Lir who had four wonderful children whom he loved dearly.
Fionnuala (pronounced Fin-ool-ah), Fiachra (pronounced Fee-ah-kra), Aodh (pronounced Eh), and Conn (pronounced Kahn) lost their mother when they were young. They missed her stories and singing so much King Lir decided they needed a new mother.
He married his late wife’s sister, Aoife. At first she loved the children but over time she grew jealous of how much the king loved his children.
One day, as the children swam in Lake Derravaragh, Aoife cast a spell on them, turning them into swans. Although they were no longer human they retained their mystical singing voices.
Aoife’s spell forced them to live as swans for nine hundred years. She bade them spend three hundred years on Lake Derravaragh, three hundred years on the Sea of Moyle and three hundred years on the Island of Glora. Only the sound of a bell would break the spell.
Their father Lir learned of the singing swans, and soon reconnected with his children. He turned their wicked stepmother into mist upon learning of her cruel spell.
The first 300 years on Lake Derravaragh were happy in the company of their father. Once they bade goodbye to him, 300 years of sorrow awaited them on the fierce waves of the Sea of Moyle, which separates Ireland from Scotland.
The Children of Lir at Ballycastle, County Antrim flying out to the Sea of Moyle.
© Copyright Patrick Baldwin and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons License.
When they returned to Ireland they discovered their father had passed away and his castle was now in ruins. Their last 300 years were were spent on the Island of Glora where in the final years of the spell they met a holy man named Caomhóg (pronounced Kway-vohg).
The King of Connacht learned of their beautiful singing voices. He tried to capture them, but upon hearing Caomhóg’s bell, a mist descended and the swans regained their human forms. At first they were children, but they aged rapidly.
Before they died Caomhóg christened them, and their legend has lived on ever since, being passed down from generation to generation through the spoken annals of ancient Celtic folklore.
This tale might be considered way too sad for American children today, but as Irish children we grew up on tales of treachery, sorrow, magically mixed together with Celtic mysticism.
And I continue to share these legends with my children. A little bit of sorrow does them no harm at all.
Swans are plentiful in Ireland in the winter months. Swans are never killed by hunters, because they are revered in Celtic legends, like the Children of Lir.
Stunning Irish Jewelry Inspired by Irish Ancestry and Folklore:
Tracy Gilbert is a Dublin-based designer and maker of beautifully hand-crafted contemporary Irish jewelry. Tracy not only makes beautiful things in Ireland, she also makes Ireland into beautiful things.
The map of Ireland features in many pieces. Turn a piece from the ‘Growing Home’ collection in just the right way, to reveal a perfectly formed map of Ireland.
Tracy is immensely proud of her Irish heritage. She was educated through the Irish language and has always been inspired by the rich artistic and mythological history of Ireland.
Each piece is meticulously made with love for Irish roots, history and folklore.
The meanings attaching to Tracy’s pieces are very important to her.
Tracy’s very first design, the Celtic Trinity Heart pendant, was made for somebody very special and is a simple reworking of the traditional Celtic Trinity knot. The addition of the heart in the middle of the knot symbolises ‘Forever love’.
Tracy’s Growing Home collection is a reimagined ‘Tree of Life’ with Ireland represented as a beautiful oak tree – strong and enduring (rotate the piece anti-clockwise and you’ll see that the canopy of the tree is indeed a map of Ireland). Like most trees, it has weathered many storms but continues to grow strong, it is deeply rooted.
It also reflects the wearers ancestry, with roots firmly planted in Ireland. Also, that Ireland as a nation continues to grow and will provide shelter to her people no matter where they are living.
Tracy’s Children of Lir collection is inspired by the tale, in Irish folklore, of four siblings who were turned into swans for 900 years by their stepmother, jealous of the children’s love for each other and their father, Lir.
Children of Lir Silver Pendant
The swans are entwined to form a heart, symbolizing love and dedication.
You can view all of Tracy’s pieces on her website Tracy Gilbert Designs.
You can follow her stories and design updates on Facebook and Twitter.
The Prize:
One lucky reader will win a beautiful sterling silver pendant, inspired by the Irish tale of the Children of Lir. A pair of swans intertwine to reveal a heart of love and devotion, highlighted by stunningly blue Celtic waves.
Valued at €175.00 this piece is a perfect gift for any lover of Irish legends and Ireland.
A big thank you to Tracy for sponsoring the prize for this giveaway, in perfect time for Christmas.
The Giveaway:
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Wednesday, December 16th 2015.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration for your entry why not tell us about your favorite characters from Irish history, that might inspire Tracy in her future jewelry designs.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday December 16th, 2015, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes entries by clicking here.
A big thank you to Tracy for sharing her inspiring jewelry with us today. And thanks to everyone who supports this little giveaway. Best of luck to all the entrants.
Update – Winner Chosen On December 16th, 2015
Good news. Our winner has been chosen using the randomized “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Sharon
I’ll send you a quick e-mail to let you know you are our prize winner.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway.
And a big thank you to Tracy Gilbert for introducing us to her beautiful work and for sponsoring this magnificent prize.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
If you enjoyed this post here are some other stories and tributes you might enjoy.
Eulogy For An Irish American Mother
America Bound
Between The Jigs And The Reels
What a sad and beautiful legend! The jewelry made by Tracy Gilbert is exquisite……..thank you for the giveaway and Merry Christmas……….
Merry Christmas to you too, Pat.
Thanks for checking out Tracy’s jewelry.
Mairéad
To receive one of these beautiful Irish pieces would be a treasure.
What a beautiful piece of jewelry!
The jewelry is beautiful!
thanks so much for sharing- shared with What The Feis, he was looking for gifts for Irish Dancers, and this is a great company to share
Hi Nicole – Thanks so much for sharing this with “What The Feis”. Irish step dancers would love Tracy Gilbert’s Irish Dancer Pendant. Here’s the link – it’s simply stunning ..
https://tracygilbertdesigns.com/product/irish-dancer-pendant/
All the best, and happy Christmas.
Mairéad
I love the way the Irish embrace legends and preserve them in storytelling and art.
Hi Beth – The stories of the past are near and dear to our hearts. They connect us with our roots, and the more mystical and magical a story is, the more we love it.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
I loved hearing the swan story, and Tracy’s jewelry is so beautiful. Thank you so much for the giveaway and Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas to you too, Shelley. Thanks for supporting this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Hi Mairead,
I love Swans and study and watch their movements at Doneraile park, I would realyl love this pendant, its beautiful. thank you so much for giving us the chance to win the pendant.
Merry Christmas.
Maureen x
Maureen – I have seen some of your beautiful swan photos on your Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/MakeTimeForNature/?fref=ts
I too find swans mesmerizing as they glide through the water.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
This is soooo pretty! I would love to have it!
I bought a bodrahn decorated with the Children of Lir. I love that tale – and this pendant! Wow! One character that always inspires me – Grace the Pirate Queen. Such strength & fearlessness! Very brave! Thank you sharing & for this wonderful chance.
I too love this ancient story of Ireland. Grace or Granuaile as she is known in Ireland would be a great character to inspire a range of jewelry. Thanks for a wonderful suggestion.
Best wishes, and thanks so much for checking out this amazing jewelry collection.
Mairéad
Tracy’s art is very touching. My sister, Kathleen (good Irish name) birthday is in February and she will be getting one of Tracy’s Trinity Heart necklace. I hope I am lucky enough to win her swans. My daughter is in charge of an Irish Luncheon (about 300 people) after the Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Parade and Irish American Mom website has been helping me with inspiration. Thanks for sharing the Irish Folklore, since my Grandmother passed, our Irish spirit was wavered.
Hi Joyce – Your sister Kathleen is very lucky indeed – what a beautiful gift to celebrate her birthday. I’m so glad my recipes and ramblings are helping inspire your Irish party preparations, and are helping you to reconnect with the legends and stories of your Irish ancestors.
All the best, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
Jewelry beautiful enough to do credit to one of the most lovely legends, The person who receives it will be lucky, indeed!
This jewelry is absolutely brilliant and the swan pendant especially so!!
I always think of the Children of Lir when I see the swans in Galway Bay!
Beautiful story, beautiful art!
My husband proposed to me at the swan pond on Boston, MA, 37 yrs ago, because he knew I had a fondness for swans. When I read about the Children of Lir, I wept. Seeing the swans in Galway Bay was a magical experience. The story of the Children of Lir was recalled & the beautiful day was enhanced by the elegance of the numerous swans in the Bay. The jewelry created by Tracy Gilbert is a gorgeous tribune to her/our homeland legends. She is truly a talented & generous artisan. Once again my thanks to you, Mairead, for your wonderful blog. Merry Christmas to you & yours.
Oh just beautiful! Hoping my Irish luck sees me through this one! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
The jewelry is beautiful and it would be a treasure to have!
I love your stories thanks for sharing.
My mom always told us this story! I think of it every time I see an image of a swan.
What beautiful artistry…the growing home design (the tree of life reimagined) seems also symbolic of the promise of God to St. Patrick…that wherever the sons and daughters of Ireland find themselves, they remain sons and daughters of Ireland and fall under the protection of the promise to St. Patrick that they will not lose their Faith. This really is very touching. Thank you, Mairead*, again, for this wonderful information about Tracy Gilbert’s work.
God bless you!
I come from Ballycastle and grew up with this story, It is a beautiful piece of art.
Thank you for the giveaway, all your jewelry is so beautiful , I have always loved the story of the swans. Merry Christmas 🙂
Just beautiful!! The legend and the lovely jewelry representing such rich heritage!
Aloha Mairead!!
I have cherished my Irish heritage my whole life…Wishing to someday visit the magical Isle or Ireland…
Your wonderful giveaways have been inspiring..and I have been sharing with friends and family this holiday season, and hope they too see the warmth of the giving you have shared. This is a lovely pendant and would be blessed to wear!! Sharing my luck to all who reply to your give away and who knows..maybe it will be my pot of gold at the end of this rainbow!! Mele Kalikimaka ..Colleen
Such beautiful pieces from quite a talented artist. Whoever wins this gorgeous piece will forever remember the story of the Children of Lir.
What a beautiful and sad legend. I am looking foward to telling my grand children this story when they are old enough for story time? Thank you so much for sharing
Love reading your posts, Introducing books,. recipes and jewelry with an Irish connection is briliant and appreciated. As the grand daughters grow older fine jewelry will be appreciated . Thanks for sharing Tracy’s work.
Not only would I love to win this I want to buy the earrings right now! Another wonderful post. I love this blog.
Love your posts and especially your recipes!
The children of lir was always my favourite irish myth. That or the salmon of knowledge.
Thanks for sharing the story and the beautiful jewellery.
Thank you for sharing this story. I can’t wait for our next long car trip so I can tell it to my girls. And the pendant is an amazing translation of the sad beauty of the tale.
I loved this post! Thank you so much for sharing with us Tracy Gilbert and her gorgeous work. The pieces are seriously stunning. Coincidentally my favorite Irish myths are The Children of Lir, and also the ones about Cuchulain.
Her jewelry is absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing her work and having the giveaway.
Beautiful jewelry, would love to win a piece!
Thank you so much Mairead, and thank you for mentioning my page, wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas xx
You’re welcome, Maureen, and happy Christmas to you too.
Mairéad
I am really enjoying learning about all of these wonderful Irish tales and legends. Thank you very much for sharing with everyone. I learn things from your blog that I would never otherwise learn about.
Hi Kimberly – I’m so glad to be able to share my stories of Ireland, and thank you so much for reading them.
Have a lovely Christmas.
Mairéad
Beautiful necklace. I love this website.
Thanks, Pat. I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes and ramblings.
Best wishes for a lovely Christmas.
Mairéad
Stunningly beautiful design! Tracy’s work is outstanding!
Thank you for posting the story of The Children of Lir. I remember it, and other stories, from many years past.
Happy Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to many wonderful blog posts in the new year! x
Happy Christmas to you and your family too, Jean. My New Year’s resolution will have to be to commit to more blogging. So much to write about, when the subjects are Ireland and the Irish in America.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
I love this story. My favorite stories are ones passed on by my grandmother. Biddy Early did not live far from the family cottage so my grandmother heard the stories as a child. Some realatives even knew Biddy. My Great Uncles and father needed to dig a new well and were having trouble finding a spot. My Uncle Mike, after days of looking, went to Biddy’s property and got a stick for divining rod. This was the day they found water!
Hi Susan – Your grandmother’s stories – what a wonderful family legacy to have. I love your story about a stick from Biddy Early’s property helped divine the water for your uncle’s well. My father is really good at divining water. He uses a Y-shaped sally rod and when he walks around a field near the river on our farm in Cork, the stick goes crazy. If anyone else takes the stick it just stays still. I must video him doing it sometime.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your family story.
Best wishes, and have a lovely Christmas.
Mairéad
Love the mystical legends. Beautiful jewelry!
I am currently in Ireland for the holidays. As a solo traveller from Indiana, USA, I find Ireland a welcoming place and love to spend my vacations here. I work with textiles and am currently adapting a series of knots from the Book of Kells. Tracy’s artwork is inspiring; I lover her knot work and spirals. Happy Christmas!
Hi Leanne – I hope you have a wonderful trip to Ireland and that you find plenty of inspiration for your art work.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
How lovely 🙂 I love the blue color in this piece of art! Very graceful swans!
Beautiful!
Very Pretty Very Detailed Thanks for sharing
The folk story of Dadga’s Harp would be a good inspiration for a beautiful necklace. Your swan piece is just lovely !!
I love this legend. Tracy’s jewelry is beautiful.
Irish legends are as hauntingly beautiful as the country itself! The craftsmanship in Tracy’s jewelry is stunning, thank you for sharing her talent with us.
Many thanks for all the lovely comments, ideas for new designs (Dagda’s harp!) and to Mairead for sharing my work.
All that’s left to say is Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh, Tracy!
Thank you Tracy for sharing your beautiful work with us. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Nollaig mhaith chugat freisin.
Mairéad
What a lovely Christmas it would be to wear this necklace!!!!! It would make me feel like a child again after reading about the legend of the Children of Lir. After all these years, I am just connecting with my family in Ireland. My grandmother was born there and immigrated to the USA with her ship docking in Philadelphia. Ireland is on my bucket list. To hear and learn everything I can is such a joy to me and really hits my heart.
Hi Ronnie – I’m so happy to hear your are connecting with your Irish family. That is just wonderful. Thanks so much for checking out my recipes and ramblings about Ireland.
Best wishes,
Mairéad