The Children of Lir

King Lir lives happily with his wife Oifa and their four children, Fingula, Aod, Fiachra, and Conn, on the Hill of the White Field. After Oifa passes away, King Dearg arranges for Lir to marry Oifa’s sister to keep peace between them. The new stepmother, Oifa, quickly grows jealous of the affection Lir shows his children. She tricks them into traveling with her to a lake under the guise of a joyous outing. At the lake, she uses dark magic to transform the four children into beautiful white swans. She condemns them to wander the waters of Ireland for nine hundred years as punishment. The siblings are scattered by fierce storms and cold winds during their long exile. They endure hunger and isolation while flying across the sea to different islands. Despite their suffering, they retain their voices and sing hauntingly sweet songs. Their music eventually brings them to the attention of Saint Mac Howg. The saint helps them break the final part of the curse through baptism. However, the spell also causes them to age rapidly into frail old men and women. They die shortly after being freed from their swan forms. Their bodies are buried with honor in a cairn on the island. Thus ends the tragic tale of the children who suffered for their stepmother's envy.