Children Of Lir And Aoife’s Curse – Celtic Legend That Inspired The Swan Lake Ballet

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - The tale of the Children of Lir is a captivating Celtic legend filled with beauty, even if it is a sad story.

The story underscores the powerful message that hope should never be abandoned. The legend masterfully intertwines the profound virtues of justice, trust, faith, and freedom.

Aoife cursed the children. Credit: Adobe Stock - Astral Phoenix AI

The Celtic tale inspired the famous ballet Swan Lake, which was composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76.

Tuatha Dé Danann And King Lir

The Children of Lir lived during a time when the Tuatha Dé Danann, "a mythical race of god-like beings with supernatural abilities," were killed in large numbers before being finally defeated by a race of Gaelic invaders known as the Milesians. ¹

The Tuatha Dé Danann were banished to the dark underground realms beneath the Earth. However, these divine beings did not accept their downfall despite their expulsion. Instead, they quickly built an awe-inspiring subterranean kingdom filled with magnificent cities and shining palaces. In this unique divine world, time stood still. Those who lived in the underground kingdom of Tuatha Dé Danann retained their eternal beauty and never aged like the mortals residing on the surface.

To safeguard their future peace and happiness Bodb Derg was chosen as the king of Tuatha Dé Danann. An impressive castle was built for him on the banks of Loch Dearg.

The People of Dana were happy with their choice, except for one individual.

The choice of selecting Bodb Derg was a decision that displeased King Lir because he held the conviction that he was more worthy of the title.

To soothe Lir, Bodb offered his daughter, Aoibh, in marriage to him. Accepting this proposition, Lir agreed to give up his claim to the throne and form an alliance with Bodb Derg, effectively ending their conflict.

Ballerina dancing ballet Swan Lake. Credit: Adobe Stock - komaart

King Lir lived at the sea with his wife Aoibh, with whom he had four children: one girl, Fionnghuala; three sons, Aodh; and twins, Fiachra and Conn.

Following the birth of the twins, Lir was plunged into profound sorrow due to the unfortunate demise of Aoibh.

Aoife Uses Magic And Transforms the Children Of Lir Into Swans

When his wife died, Lir married her sister, Aoife. At first, everything seemed to go well, and Aoife had a deep affection for her step-children, treating them as if they were her biological offspring. However, observing Lir's escalating devotion towards them each day, she gradually succumbed to feelings of jealousy. Over time, Aoife became convinced that her husband's affection towards her had diminished, and his primary focus seemed to be the four children.

Pretending to be severely ill, she remained in bed for a whole year. She called upon a druid, and together, they plotted a course to destroy King Lir's children.

Aoife's ultimate goal was to get rid of the children once and for all.

The children were changed into swans. Credit: Adobe Stock - Knut

As the Celtic legend says, Aoife rose out of bed one day and took the four children to Loch Dairbhreach. When they reached the lake, she told them to bathe. Then, once the children were in the water, she used her magical powers to transform them into swans.

She chanted over them the words the druid had taught her:

"Here on Dairbhreach's lonely wave

For years to come your watery home

Not Lir nor druid can now ye save

From endless wandering on the lonely foam."

"Stunned and saddened by their step-mother's cruel act of vengeance, the Children of Lir bowed their heads and wept piteously for their fate.

Fionnguala eventually found the courage to speak, and she uttered a plea for lenience, mindful of her three brothers and of the terrible tragedy Lir would again have to suffer:

"We have always loved you Aoife," she urged, "why have you treated us in this way when we have only ever shown you loyalty and kindness?"

So sad and helpless were Fionnguala's words, so soft and innocent was her childlike voice, that Aoife began to regret what she had done and she was suddenly filled with panic and despair. It was too late for her to undo her druid's spell, and it was all she could do to fix a term to the curse she had delivered upon the children:

"You will remain in the form of four white swans," she told them, "until a woman from the south shall be joined in marriage to a man from the north, and until the light of Christianity shines on Erin.

For three hundred years you will be doomed to live on Loch Dairbhreach, followed by three hundred years on the raging Sea of Moyle, and a further three hundred years on Iorras Domhnann. I grant you the power of speech and the gift of singing, and no music in the world shall sound more beautiful and pleasing to the ear than that which you shall make." ²

The Fate Of The Children Of Lir

When King Lir saw Aoife return from the lake alone, he suspected she had done something evil to his children. He then hurried to the shores of Loch Dairbhreach where he encountered the swans singing with human voices. The four swans told him of Aoife's evil act.

"I will tell you that, Lir," said Fionnuala. "We are your own four children,  that are after being destroyed by your wife, and by the sister of our own  mother, through the dint of her jealousy." "Is there any way to put you into your own shapes again?" said Lir. "There is no way," said Fionnuala,  "for all the men of the world could not help us till we have gone through  our time, and that will not be," she said, "till the end of nine hundred  years."

When Lir and his people heard that, they gave out three great heavy shouts of grief and sorrow and crying.” ³

The Children of Lir (1914) by John Duncan. Credit: Public Domain

Lir arrived at Bodb's place and informed him about Aoife's treachery. Bodb, in his anger, condemned her actions and prophesied that her suffering would surpass that of the children. Knowing Aoife feared the demon of the air, he used his druidic wand to transform Aoife into such a creature. Then, she took flight in this new form and remained that way indefinitely.

The poor Children of Lir remained swans for 900 years. The only way to break the spell was for the children to listen to the ringing of a Christian bell.

Did The Children Of Lir Meet Saint Patrick?

The fate of the Children of Lir changed when Saint Patrick and Christianity came to Ireland. One day, the holy man Mochaomhóg appeared at Inis Gluairé. Some sources suggest it was actually Saint Patrick himself. Upon hearing the man ring a bell to signal the start of matins, the swans in the area were startled by this unfamiliar sound.

Fionnghuala did not fear the sound. On the contrary, she said this must be the bell that would liberate them from the spell's curse, so they listened. When it finished, they sang a song.

The holy man heard their melody and realized the swans were singing. He approached them and asked if they were the Children of Lir, expressing that his journey to this location was specifically for them.

The holy man individual joined the swans using silver chains and welcomed them into his home. He cared for them and provided them with everything they needed until they had forgotten they felt no fatigue or distress.

Aoife's Curse Was Broken After 900 Years

The story of the swans eventually reached Deoch, who was married to Lairgnen, the King of Connacht. She requested her husband to get the swans for her.

Lairgnen sent messengers to negotiate with Mochaomhóg, but the holy man refused to give him the Children of Lir. It made Lairgnen, and he tried to take the swans by force, but as soon as he touched them, a shocking transformation took place - their feathers fell off, revealing three extremely elderly men and an old woman underneath. All four of them were very thin. This unexpected revelation led Lairgnen to abandon his pursuit.

After almost one thousand years, the Children of Lir were finally released from Aoife's curse, and the prophecy was fulfilled.

Did the Children of Lir meet St. Patrick? Credit: Adobe Stock - DorSteffen

Knowing that they were old and had little time left, the Children of Lir asked Mochaomhóg to baptize them "and as he did so, they died peacefully and happily. The saint carried their bodies to a large tomb and Fionnguala was buried at the center, surrounded by her three beloved brothers." Mochaomhóg "placed a large headstone on the mound and he inscribed it in oghram. It read, 'Lir’s children, who rest here in peace at long last’.” ²

The Celtic legend of the Children of Lir has been a source of inspiration, giving birth to numerous musical compositions and artworks, and serving as the central theme for several books.

It is often said, “Better late than never”, but though justice did prevail in the end, the rescue came much too late for the poor Children of Lir.

Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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