I R E L A N D ’ S FAV O U R I T E LE G E N D 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 …
by their wicked stepmother and forced to wander across Ireland for 900 years.
The perfect introduction to Irish legends for children.
ISBN 978-1-78849-106-8
CHILDREN’S FICTION
9 781788 491068
of
Lir
Laura Ruth Maher ILLUSTRATED BY
Conor Busuttil
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
and freed them from the
A charming rhyming version of the legend of
The Children of Lir, who were turned into swans
The Children
The Children of Lir is
of a bell broke the spell enchantment. Maher & Busuttil
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 lives in the Welsh valleys where he draws away to his heart’s content.
O’BRIEN
THE CHILDREN OF LIR
Laura Ruth Maher is a Montessori teacher from Dublin. She has completed a degree and Master’s 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. She currently lives in Warwickshire, England.
The Children of
Lir
Laura Ruth Maher is a Montessori teacher from Dublin. She has completed a Degree and Master’s 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. 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 beside Strangford Lough, Co. Down,
The Children of
Lir
Laura Ruth Maher Illustrated by Conor Busuttil
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.
4
The children were cheerful, they laughed and they played. Fionnuala was eldest and next there came Aodh, Fiachra was tallest and smallest was Conn. They hopped, skipped and jumped from dusk until dawn.
5
One day while the children played hurling outside Lir looked at them laughing, it filled him with pride. He gazed at the sun and the birds in the sky, But was suddenly startled by a strange passer-by.
6
They were covered in rags and bent like a spoon; Lir expected no visitors on this bright afternoon. He became wary when this wanderer appeared, But he was brave and courageous, there was nothing he feared.
7
From out of the window, he yelled ‘Who goes there?’ This stranger stepped forward and let down her red hair. Her rags disappeared, she stood tall, straight and narrow; Her beauty pierced Lir like a fast-moving arrow.
8
‘A woman?’ said Lir, ‘Here at MY fortress?’ ‘I am always quite careful not to give out my address.’ The children ran over, they were truly excited. ‘A new mother?’ they thought and became quite delighted.
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