The Tale of Cliodhna and Ciabhan

In the Mythological Cycle of Irish legend, Clíodhna is a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient race of supernatural god-like beings who populated all corners of Ireland before the mortals arrived. Specifically, she was the queen of the banshees, and a figure strongly associated with love and beauty. Clíodhna had her home on the island of Tir Tairngire, the “Land of Promise,” where she kept three birds who ate the fruit of a magical tree. When properly fed, her birds could sing songs so sweet that they could cure any ailment imaginable.

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One day, Clíodhna met Ciabhan, a human who lived across the sea in Ireland. The pair were instantly smitten, and despite Clíodhna’s seemingly-perfect and ageless life in Tir Tairngire, she resolved to leave in order to live a mortal life with her beloved. As she journeyed to be by his side, she stopped to rest one night in the harbor of Glandore, Co. Cork. It was there that the other old Irish deities made their feelings on her transgression known: the sea god, Manannán Mac Lir, had one of his minstrels play beautiful music, which lured Cliona to sleep. Defenseless, she was swept away by a powerful wave and drowned, never to reach Ciabhan’s side.
To this day, the strongest tide of Glandore harbor is referred to as Tonn Chlíodhna, or “Cliona’s Wave,” as a way of remembering the powerful force of nature that tore these lovers apart.