The early Irish legends, dating back thousands of years, describe all that is magical and mysterious in Celtic Culture. There are heroes, warriors, strange animals, fierce battles and stories of love - sometimes brief and tragic encounters, often eternal and joyous love stories. This piece from the Celtica collection, entitled Forever - is inspired by the story of Angus in Love.

Here is a short version -

An ancient story (mythical or historical, no one knows) tells the story of Angus, asleep in his bed one night when he dreamed of a beautical girl. She seemed so real that in his dream he reached out to her but she faded from sight. The following night she returned during his sleep and sang the sweetest song he ever heard, and played a beautiful harp. When he reached for her she again vanished. Angus was visited every time he slept for a whole year until he could take no more of his daily sorrow at the loss of the girl of his dreams.

Finally Angus enlisted the help of the King of the Fairies from whom no
knowledge can be concealed. Although it took a long time he discovered that she was at a
Lakeside close by - and he sent Angus running to the place. There Angus found 150 maidens and among them the girl of his dreams.

He discovered that she was under a spell and was destined to spend one year as a swan and the next in her human shape - alternating every year for eternity. So strong was Angus' love for the girl that he had the same spell cast on himself so he could fly with her each year she was a swan and spend the next year with her in human form - which they did for all time.