Cliodhna was a goddess of love and beauty and is surrounded by three birds whose fabulous songs could cure all ills. Those who heard the songs were lulled into a deep sleep and when they awoke found that their sickness had been cured.
She embodies the ideals of beauty and love in Irish folklore. The daughter of the sea god, if a wish spoken as a small pearl is placed in a double shell, tied with seaweed, cast on the ninth wave and reaches the shore, the goddess Cliodhna will grant it.
She was said to have fallen madly in love with a human, Ciabhan. Such was her love for Ciabhan she stayed in the mortal world to be with her mortal love. When one day Ciabhan went off to hunt, Cliodhna remained at the seashore but was swept away by a wave incanted by Manannán MacLir, the sea deity. Ever since that time the tide in Glandore in Cork is known as ‘Tonn Chlíodhna’ meaning ‘Clíodhna’s Wave’, especially when a fiercely loud breaking wave thunders out from the sea.
