We all have roots that we have come from. Our ancestors came from somewhere else to settle in America. The Irish people were one of the first and have substantially impacted the nation that we know today. Ireland mythology has been a considerable part of the lives of the Irish people since the beginning of time.
Celtic Woman compiles mythology and legend and combines them with her unique voice into her song “Tir na nOg.” If you are not familiar with the tale, it is quite simple. It all began back in the time when the strong ruled, and the warriors of the land traveled throughout the kingdom, keeping peace and fighting off all invaders.
On one such excursion into the woods, the most powerful Irish warrior, Oisin, was stopped dead in his tracks. A gorgeous woman sitting on top of a beautiful white horse appeared to him on the horizon. She slowly rode towards him and his men as they sat in stunned silence.
The light emanating from her and the horse kept the hardened warriors locked into place. She rode straight up to them and introduced herself as Niamh, daughter of the king of Tir Na nOg. A magical land far away that offered a place away from sorrow. A land where you would stay young forever.
Oisin fell deeply in love with Niamh and climbed on her horse. They traveled across the seas and to the land of Tir Na nOg, where they spent many years happily together. Something was missing, though. Oisin missed his family and friends and wanted to take a trip back to Ireland for a visit.
He was finally allowed to do so with one rule. To not get off the white horse; otherwise, he will never be able to return to the land of eternal youth. As you would expect, Oisin fell off the horse when he was trying to help a couple of elderly men move a large rock.
As he hit the ground, he immediately aged the amount of time he had been gone. 300 hundred years had passed since he had left, and since he could not go back to join his love in eternal life, he soon died of old age. Not before he was able to start talking about his adventure, which turned into an Irish myth that lives on in the hearts and minds of the Irish people today.
Celtic Woman puts the entire myth into one great song. “Tir Na nOg” is a timeless song about a part of history that the people of Ireland still talk about today. It is one of the most well-known stories told to children as they lay in their beds. It is a true story of love and tragedy based on real people turned into myth.
