The King of Ireland's Son facts for kids
| Author | Padraic Colum |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Willy Pogany |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
|
Publication date
|
1916 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
The King of Ireland's Son is an exciting children's book. It was published in Ireland in 1916. Padraic Colum wrote the story, and Willy Pogany created the beautiful pictures.
The book tells the adventures of the oldest son of the King of Ireland. He goes on a quest to win Fedelma, the Enchanter's Daughter. But after he wins her, she is kidnapped! The King of the Land of Mist takes her away. The story is full of magic and based on old Irish folklore tales. People have called it a wonderful collection of Irish fireside stories.
Adventures in the Story
-Pogany-illustr-p014-Fedelma%26swanskin.jpg)
This book is a classic in Irish children's literature. It has many magical stories that connect to each other. The narrative is long and epic, full of twists and turns.
The King of Ireland's son is a bit careless. One day he rides out with:
- His hound at his heel
- His hawk on his wrist
- A brave horse to carry him anywhere he wants
- The blue sky above him
- The green grass below him
He meets a strange old man. This man seems harmless but is also tricky. The old man invites him to play a game of chess. The winner gets to choose a prize.
The story introduces many memorable characters. There's Flann, also known as Gilly the Goat-Boy. You'll also meet Lasarfhiona, or Flame-of-Wine, who is proud and unkind. The magical Spae-Woman and a mean farmer also appear. These characters make the story exciting, funny, and unforgettable.
Fedelma, the Enchanter's Daughter
In the first part of the book, the King of Ireland's oldest son loses a bet. He loses to his father's enemy. He must find this enemy within a year and a day. A talking eagle helps him. The eagle tells him to watch three swan maidens. They will land on a lake. These maidens are the daughters of the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. He is the wizard the prince is looking for.
The prince is told to hide a special swanskin. This skin belongs to the swan with a green ribbon. This swan is Fedelma, the Enchanter's youngest daughter. The prince travels to the Enchanter's kingdom. He promises to marry Fedelma. He ignores her sisters, Aefa and Gilveen. The Enchanter then makes him complete three very difficult tasks.
The Unique Tale
In another chapter, "The Unique Tale," the Spae-Woman tells a special story. It's about a queen who wished for a blue-eyed, blonde-haired daughter. But she carelessly wished her sons to "go with the wild geese." As soon as her daughter, named Sheen (meaning 'Storm'), was born, something amazing happened. Her seven sons turned into gray wild geese and flew away from the castle!
Later, we learn that Sheen changed her name to Caintigern. She became Queen when she married the King of Ireland. This King of Ireland is the father of two main characters in the book. They are the King of Ireland's Son and Gilly of the Goatskin (also known as Gilla Na Chreck An Gour). This means the seven wild geese are actually their uncles!
