Etain and Midir
Today I offer an Irish legend celebrated in a mosaic glass mural at Millennium Forum in Derry city, Northern Ireland. It was fabricated by Kinney Design from paintings by Desmond Kinney. This is the story of a woman who is immortal but for a long time doesnt know it. It is also a classic love story. It happened that Eochaid Airem, the high king of Ireland decided he needed a wife,for it is not proper he thought,for a king to be without a queen. A search was made throughout the land and messengers came back to say that in Ulster the fairest maiden in Ireland had been found. She was called Etain. When the king saw her he instantly fell in love and he quickly proposed marriage.Etain consented and preparations were made. They were married in Tara and everyone welcomed their new queen. Etain"s beauty,charm,singing & playing of the harp was admired by all men including the king"s brother Ailill Anglounach. Ailill became overpowered with a lust for Etain. He obsess