In Irish mythology, the four children of Lear – Aodh, Fıonnghuala, Fıachra, and Conn – were turned into singing swans for 900 years by their step-mother Aoıfe, who is seen on the left riding away from the site of her stepchildrens’ metamorphosis at Loch Daırbhreach (in modern Co. Westmeath). They are then restored to human form by a Christian monk but, being 900 years old, die immediately.
“Lır” (in Irish) is the genitive of (the Irish) “Lear” and the story is often referred to in Irish as “Clann Lır“; neither “Lear” nor “Lır” is pronounced like the English “(King) Lear”.
Crocus Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
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Paddy Duffy Collection 