These beautiful glass swans represent the four Children of Lir, one of Ireland's best known tales...

This story tells of Lir and his wife Aobh and their four children called Aodh, Fionnghuala, Fiachra and Conn. Lir's wife died and he married again. His new wife was called Aoife and she became the children's stepmother. At first she loved them dearly but after a time she grew jealous of their father's affection for them.

One day she bore them away and put them under a spell. They were turned into four white swans at Lake Derravaragh in County Westmeath. They remained there for four hundred years. Then they flew away and settled on the Sea of Moyle between Ireland and Scotland, where they stayed for three hundred years in cold and misery. From there they spent three years in Erris, County Mayo where they endured even further sorrow.

At the end of that time they returned to their old home in County Armagh. Their father was long dead and the place was desolate and empty. They flew off again to Erris and there met the Christian Missionary, St. Mochaomhog who treated them with great kindness.

At last their period of enchantment came to an end and they were turned into three withered old men and an old woman. The saint baptised them and they died peacefully. They were buried together.

They stand approx 3" x 3"

Each pieces comes in a branded gift box

Code 100658

Note: All pieces are hand blown so may differ slightly from image

After the closure of the Waterford Crystal factory in Waterford City Ireland in January 2009, a group of Master craftsmen with a combined total of over 130 years experience in glass- making, came together and made the decision to set up a glass making facility of their own in the very heart of Waterford City.

Located in the new 'Kite Design Studio', The Irish Handmade Glass Company aim to bring the craft of glass making to life for visitors to historic Henrietta Street in the Viking Quarter of Waterford City. Watch in amazement as renowned Glass Master, Richard Rowe transforms the molten glass into works of art before your very eyes.

Their aim, along with keeping the craft alive, is to create beautiful, affordable glassware, both crystal clear and also coloured which is not only pleasing to the eye, but also practical to use.

We will always strive to get your little piece of Ireland to you as soon as possible & in perfect order! 

Dispatch:

Irish Crafts will usually endeavour to dispatch goods within 1 working day of your order, we generally dispatch same working day where possible. If for some reason there is any delay to this we will contact you with updates & options.

If you need an item in a hurry please contact us for express courier rates before placing your order.

Delivery & Collection Services:

Important to Note: If you choose an accelerated check-out option such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, or PayPal, then the local delivery or local pick-up options will not be shown. Please manually enter your address details or use Shop Pay in order to avail of these options.

 

3. Delivery in Republic of Ireland 

Packages will generally be delivered by DPD, orders placed up to 12 noon Monday-Friday will be delivered next working day, orders placed after 12 noon will deliver within 1-2 days. If you supply a mobile number DPD will send you updates about your delivery.

If your cart consists of small/light items suitable to be sent by envelope, for example, greeting cards, you may be offered an alternative 'Envelope Service' this is a standard post service, delivering in 1-2 days for up to 250gm and is provided by An Post.

 4. International Delivery

Depending on the shipping destination we may use either Fedex or DPD couriers. These services are provided at (or below) cost; they offer an insured service with door-to-door internet tracking, proof of delivery & a signature is required on delivery (subject to local Covid-19 exceptions).

There has been a noticeable increase in freight & shipping costs worldwide, the reasons are broad & complex; soaring demand, a shortage of containers, saturated ports, too few ships, shortage of workers, customs complexities and of course the impact of Covid which will continue for some time. This challenge is in no way unique to us at Irish Crafts but we have been left with no option but to increase shipping prices and adjust 'free shipping' thresholds. We have opted to reflect these increases fairly and transparently - applying them to our Shipping Costs and not simply adding to our product prices which remain among the most competitive in the market.

The table below provides an overview of the shipping destinations, estimated days & rates. If your destination is not listed, we may be able to provide you with a quote via email, please contact us.

 

Covid-19 Shipping Impact:

Spring 2022 has brought along a welcome recovery from Covid restrictions, however, there are global imbalances as to the pace of recovery and it will remain a changing landscape for some time yet. While we are continuing to fulfil online orders we advise you to expect delays and irregularities as to when & how shipments may be delivered at this time.

 

Customs & Duties outside the EU*:

If you reside outside the European Union (EU VAT Area) local taxes/duties are not included in your order total & are not the responsibility of the Irish Crafts.

The delivery agent may charge the recipient local duties, taxes and processing fees, should any apply, at the time of delivery. As we have no control over such taxes or charges, they are not calculated in your online total. You should contact your local customs office for more information.

*Brexit: Note from January 1st 2021 The UK is now considered to be outside the EU VAT area, with the exception of Northern Ireland. 

 

Ukraine & Russia

Following growing unrest in the regions, from February 24th 2022, we will cease all deliveries to Ukraine & Russia until further notice.