On a serene summer night filled with the fragrances of heather and honeysuckle, Aengus, the son of Dagda, stirred from his sleep to find a mesmerizing young woman approaching him. Captivated by her beauty and grace, he attempted to speak but she vanished without a trace.
Aengus remained in his bed throughout the night, his mind racing with thoughts of the mysterious maiden. He felt an insatiable yearning for her, going without food that day, consumed by his infatuation. As night descended once more, he lay wakeful until she appeared again, this time accompanied by a timpán, an ancient Irish lyre, which she played, lulling him into a sound sleep.
This enchanting routine continued for a full year, yet with every visit, Aengus grew increasingly frail, suffering in silence, consumed by a love he could not articulate. Despite the medical experts’ attempts to diagnose his condition, administering various treatments, nothing alleviated his suffering.
Finally, Fingen, a healer from Cond, recognized the root of Aengus’s distress: love that remained unfulfilled. Aengus, overwhelmed with emotion, shared his secret, prompting Fingen to advise that Boand, Aengus’s mother, should be summoned to aid him in finding the mysterious woman who haunted his dreams.
Boand acted swiftly upon receiving the call, and Fingen briefed her on Aengus’s plight. He urged her to lead a search across Eriu for the girl who had captured her son’s heart.
The quest extended for another year, with the queen’s finest warriors and wisdom seekers traversing the land, yet the elusive maiden remained undiscovered. Eventually, they solicited the help of Dagda, who possessed knowledge of the hidden and unknown.
Upon his arrival, Fingen informed the Dagda of Aengus’s condition and implored him to assist. He reasoned that it would be a tragedy for Aengus to perish from this unreciprocated love. When questioned about his capability to help, Fingen urged Dagda to send messengers to Bodb, the spirit ruling the Sidhe of Mumu, known for his insight into deep mysteries.
Swift messengers hastened to Bodb in Mumu, present-day Munster, who welcomed them and pledged to assist in the search for Aengus’s beloved. A year later, Bodb’s followers returned with significant news, revealing they discovered the girl at Loch Béal Dragún, translating to the Lake of the Dragon’s Mouth, in Cruit Cliach.
Overjoyed, the Dagda summoned Aengus to confirm they had indeed located the right maiden. He arrived at Sídh ar Femuin in a grand bronze-studded chariot where he was honored with a sumptuous feast to restore his strength.
Bodb guided Aengus to the lake, promising that while he could show him the girl, he could not grant her to him. Upon their arrival, they beheld an assembly of fifty shimmering maidens, all bound by silver chains, yet it was Aengus’s maiden who stood out, adorned with a unique golden chain and silver necklace.
Confirming her identity, Aengus learned her name was Cáer Ibormeith, daughter of Ethal Anbúail from Sídh Uamuin in Connachta. With this revelation, Aengus returned home with Bodb to relay their findings to the Dagda.
With no means to acquire her outright, the Dagda advised Aengus to seek the consent of King Ailill and Queen Medb, since Cáer resided within their borders. The Dagda made the journey to Connachta with a lavish retinue of chariots and followers.
During their stay, Ailill inquired about their visit, to which the Dagda revealed his son’s plight. He sought the king and queen’s aid to gain access to Cáer, stressing Aengus’s delicate condition due to his longing for her.
However, Ailill and Medb denied his request, leading the Dagda to suggest summoning Ethal Anbúail, the girl’s father. Though initially resistant, Ethal was coerced into appearing before the royalty, facing them directly.
Ethal refused to grant Aengus’s request, citing Cáer’s formidable power, which exceeded his own. Intrigued, Ailill pressed for details, leading to a reluctant explanation from Ethal: Cáer transformed into a bird for one year, reverting to her human form the next.
Ailill, now calculating, sought to discern which year Cáer would assume her bird form, though Ethal refused to disclose this information. Ultimately, a compromise forged peace between the parties, establishing a framework for cooperation.
The Dagda returned and informed Aengus to seek Cáer at Loch Béal Dragún during Samhain, when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest.
On that auspicious day, Aengus visited the lake, where he saw a dazzling manifestation of fifty white swans, glistening under the sun. Recognizing Cáer, he called to her, introducing himself as the one whose presence she had graced with her music.
Cáer expressed her willingness to approach him if he promised to allow her to return to the water. Accepting her terms, they embraced, transcending into the form of swans, circling the lake three times before flying to Brugh mac Óg, where they sang in harmony, enchanting everyone into a peaceful slumber for three days.
From that moment forth, Aengus and Cáer remained together, forever intertwined in love. Their story solidified alliances between the Dagda’s family and the rulers of Connachta, weaving connections that would last through the ages.
Loch Béal Dragún, now recognized as Lough Muskry, remains a landmark of this timeless tale of love and transformation.
