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The
Legend of Una Bhan
"On Trinity the green leaves blow,
high where Una Bhan and Tomas Ladir
lovers tie.
Each day the lark sings from the blue,
sky above bitter sweet song,
of their romantic love"
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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.
.
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.
.
Una Bhan died of a broken heart and was buried on Trinity
Island. 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.
.
Tradition says that two trees grew up over their graves,
entwining together to form a Lovers Knot, standing guard
over the site. |
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