The Children of Lir by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton

Name: The Children of Lir
Author: E.M. Wilmot-Buxton

Lir’s four children are left motherless and gain Eva as a stepmother, though she secretly resents their father’s love for them. She lures them to Lake Dairbreak and, aided by an ancient Druid, changes them into milk-white swans, condemned to remain birds until they hear a Christian bell. Repenting, Eva grants them speech, human reason, and enchanting music, but the King punishes her by making her a demon of the air. For hundreds of years the swan-children wander from their lake to the Western Sea and the stormy waters between Erin and Alba, suffering cold, storms, and separation. At last, back upon Lake Dairbreak, they hear a Christian bell after St Patrick brings the Gospel to Ireland. The spell breaks, and they regain human form, learn the Christian faith, and die peacefully. They are buried together, and songs preserve their story.

By E.M. Wilmot-Buxton · First published 1910 · Genre: Irish Mythology, Celtic Folklore, Fairy Tale · 924 words

First lines

Lir, a powerful Irish chieftain, had married the eldest of three beautiful maidens, and in course of time they had four fair children -- a daughter and three sons. Sad to say, the mother died when they were still very young; and Lir married again. His new wife, who was named Eva, was also very beautiful, but, though no one knew it, she was a very wicked sorceress. She could not bear to see her husband go to fondle and play with his children, and at last she determined to do away with them altogether. So one day she enticed them to a lonely spot among the mountains, near a smooth lake, and, leaving them to play together, she tried to bribe her servants to put them to death. But they would not, and so she returned to them determined to do the deed herself. Now, when she reached the spot, and saw how fair they looked as they ran races about the valley, her heart failed her, and she could not do this wicked thing. But she was determined that they should not return to their father Lir, so she called to her an ancient Druid who lived in a cave near that spot, and persuaded him to use his enchantment to obtain her wish. When the Druid had advised her what to do, she called the little ones to her, and said to them: "Children dear, how warm you are with your running! Come and let me bathe you in Lake Dairbreak, that you may be cool and refreshed."

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Similar titles

Genres

Irish Mythology — The tale is drawn from the Irish mythological tradition and centers on legendary figures, supernatural powers, Druids, enchantment, and Ireland's transition from paganism to Christianity.
Celtic Folklore — It retells a foundational Celtic legend involving magical transformation, enchanted animals, curses, sacred landscapes, and oral storytelling traditions.
Fairy Tale — Its plot uses fairy-tale conventions: a jealous wicked stepmother, innocent children, a magical curse, talking enchanted creatures, long suffering, and eventual release.
Fantasy — Magic drives the narrative, including shapeshifting, Druidic spells, a supernatural curse, human-minded swans, and Eva's punishment as an air demon.

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The Children of Lir is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton, dated 1910 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: E.M. Wilmot-Buxton
Date: 1910 CE
Language: English
Genres: Irish Mythology, Celtic Folklore, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Legend
Length: 924 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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