The Children of Lir

Ireland's legends awaken as a family endures a timeless enchantment and peril.

On a little green island in days of old

A story of magic and courage was told

There once stood a fortress, four children lived here

Along with their father, the mighty King Lir …

This charming rhyming story tells the legend of The Children of Lir, who were turned into swans by their wicked stepmother and forced to wander across Ireland for 900 years.

The Children of Lir is a story from long, long ago, part of an ancient oral tradition, handed down from generation to generation. It’s Ireland’s best-loved legend: the story of Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra and Conn – the children of King Lir – and how they were turned into swans and cursed to wander until the toll of a bell broke the spell and freed them from the enchantment.

Laura Ruth Maher is a Montessori Teacher from Dublin. She has completed a Degree and Masters in Early Education, her research focusing mainly on storytelling and the importance of rhyme for early literacy development. Laura has always had a great love for Irish myths and legends and is delighted that they can now be shared with a younger audience, her son included! She currently lives in Warwickshire, England, If her head is not stuck in her books she can usually be found running or enjoying a cup of tea and a sneaky biscuit or ten with her family.

Conor Busuttil is a children’s picture book illustrator and passionate doodler. His most recent works include Blue Peter’s “Here be Dragons” competition exhibition, featured in Kew Gardens. He has worked closely with Hampton Court Palace to produce a digital story “The King of the Beasts”. Conor is originally from a small rural village tucked away beside Strangford Lough, Co. Down, but currently hides himself away among the Welsh valleys where he draws away to his heart's content.