Aoife's Comeuppance
With her terrible deed complete, Aoife went on to her father Bodb Dhearg's house. He was surprised to see her without his dear grandchildren, who he had been looking forward to seeing so much. Aoife lied to her father, telling him that Lir had kept the children at home. Bodb Dhearg suspected trickery in his daughter's voice, so he sent his messenger to Lir to find out the truth.
When Lir heard the lie, he knew that something terrible had happened. He immediately set off for Bodb Dhearg's castle in his chariot. Charging along past Lough Derravaragh, he was suddenly halted by the purest, most enchanting, saddest song he had ever heard. Spellbound, he stopped the chariot at the bank.
Swans on Lough Derravaragh
A view of swans swimming at sunset on Lough Derravaragh, Co. Westmeath.
© Sean Magee.Swans on Lough Derravaragh
© Sean Magee.
© Sean Magee.
Swans on Lough Derravaragh
A view of swans swimming at sunset on Lough Derravaragh, Co. Westmeath.
© Sean Magee.
The swans were at the lake waiting for Lir. Fionnuala looked up at him from the water with her swan eyes, and told him the truth. Lir spent the night at the bank with his children, crying and listening to their songs.
The next day, Lir continued onto Bodb Dhearg's house in desperate grief. He found Aoife there and told her father of her treachery. Enraged, Bodb Dhearg put a spell on her, turning her into a witch of the air. The second he waved his wand, she blew away with the wind, never to be seen again.