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"On
Trinity the green leaves blow high, where Una
Bhan and Tomas Ladir lovers lie.
Each day the lark sings from the blue sky above,
bitter sweet song of their romantic love"
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MacDermott
was the Chieftain of Moylurg, a Celtic Kingdom in
North Roscommon. He had a beautiful daughter, Una
Bhan, - so named because of her long blonde hair.
His neighbour was Tomas Laidir Costello, a good and
sincere man, handsome and strong.
.
Una Bhan and Tomas Laidir fell in love and wished
to marry but MacDermot would not allow the marriage
because he believed Tomas Laidir was not good enough
for his daughter. Tomas Laidir was banished from the
area and MacDermot had Una Bhan confined on Castle
Island, Lough Key, then called "The Rock", which was
located in the centre of MacDermot territory.
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Una Bhan went into a deep melancholy and was dying
of grief. Tomas Laidir, hearing of the situation went
to see her and when he left, vowed that if MacDermot
did not send a message for him to return before he
reached the river, he would never go back. The messenger
was sent, but did not reach Tomas Laidir until after
he had crossed the river. Being a man of honour Tomas
Laidir was unable to break his vow and did not return.
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Una Bhan died of a broken heart and was buried on
Trinity Island, an island on Lough key. In his grief
Tomas Laidir used to swim to the island every night
to keep vigil at her grave. Eventually he got pneumonia
and realising that he was dying requested that MacDermot
allow him to be buried beside Una Bhan. His request
was granted and thus the two lovers were belatedly
united.
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Tradition says that two trees grew up over their graves,
entwining together to form a Lovers Knot, standing
guard over the site.
For
the words of the Una Bhan song
>click here
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