A beautiful repousse of “The Children of Lir ”in a handpainted marble effect frame.

This is a traditional Celtic- handcrafted copper, representing a continuation of a long tradition of Celtic arts, which began with my ancient forefathers, “The Ancient Celts”, crafted with Celtic magic in an ancient, honoured tradition

The story of the Children of Lir is one of the most famous resonant of all Irish fairy stories. There are several versions, but they all contain the same core elements. This is an introductory short story that tells of Lir & his wife Aobh with their four children. When Lair’s wife Aodh dies, Lir marries her sister. Lir’s new wife was called Oifa and became the children’s stepmother. At first, she loved them dearly, but after a time, she grew jealous of their father’s affection for the children.

Oifa orders one of her servants to kill them, but he refuses. Then Oifa tries to kill the children herself but doesn’t have the strength or the courage. Instead, one day, Oifa took the children away to Lake Derravarragh in County Westmeath. Where she uses magic to turn the children into white swans. Then Oifa begins to feel guilty. She allows the children to retain the ability to speak & to make the most beautiful music. The children have to wander Ireland for the next 900 years. Towards the end, they find sanctuary with the holy Mac Howg, who made silver chains for them to bind them together so they will never be separated. Princess Deoch hears about the swans she sends her fiancé Lairgnen to bring them to her. When Lairgnen touches the swans, they turn back into humans…but are old and withered. They are baptised just before they pass away; They are buried under white boulders the way they had always lived, together, with Conn on Fionnuala’s right, Fiachra on her left, and Aodh between her arms. Local people still bring offerings to the four children of King Lir.