What in the world is Tonn Cliodhna?
Well, nothing! Not in this world, anyway...
The story of Tonn Cliodhna, or "Cliona's Wave" is a Celtic faerie tale that has been passed down for ages, until I was lucky enough to catch a breath of the story's beauty.
Here is the story of Cliona's Wave...
Enjoy!
Cliona was a faerie princess. Her beauty was beyond compare in the Land of Promise, with the sweetest smile ever to be found, and eyes that glowed with all the goodness of the earth. Her heart was so pure and so rich with the nectar of goodness, that she kept three magical birds with her, which would sing to the sick, coaxing them to a comfortable sleep, and in that sleep they would be cured of all their pains.
Cliona was daughter to Manannan Mac Lir, faerie king of the sea. Mac Lir, though a good king, was dreadfully strict with his daughter. No nonsence was ever to find his house, and with such a free spirit as Cliona for his child, this was by no means easy.
One warm, Spring evening Cliona was walking the beaches of Cork, looking for mortals in nead of her healing song, when from out of the bushes charged a young man, armed for hunting. The gentle faerie was startled, but was instantly amazed at the mortal that stood before her. He had the softest golden locks she had ever seen, and blue eyes that twinkled with life.
The mortal, too, (who was called Ciabhan) was awestruck by the beautiful creature that smiled so sweetly at him. Their hearts, without a word spoken, were presently and mutually exchanged, forever locked upon one another. And Cliona vowed to spend the rest of eternity on the shores of Cork with Ciabhan.
Manannan Mac Lir, when he heard of this, grew furious. For there is nothing more mortifying to a faerie king than to have a daughter who should fall in love with a mortal. And my, Cliona was very much in love.
Mac Lir knew that he could not pry Cliona away from her Ciabhan easily, her passion for him was far too strong. So instead of fighting, Mac Lir sent a band of wee faeries to the island of Cork while Ciabhan had left Cliona to hunt.
The faerie band found Cliona upon the beach, and they began to play their music for her. The princess was quickly lulled into a soft and comfortable sleep upon the cool sand, and the faeries hurried back to Mac Lir to announce that their task had been completed.
Greatly pleased to see his daughter dreaming so peacefully upon the sand, Manannan Mac Lir himself sent a great wave to wash up over Cliona, and swept her back to the Land of Promise.
Though no one is quite sure, it is said that Cliona still sends her three magical birds to the isle of Cork to sing to her lost love, and to heal his broken heart.
Listen with your own heart... can you hear them?
