Niamh

Mural painted on behalf of the Irish Embassy, Romania. It was commissioned to commemorate Ireland's current presidency of the EU and to celebrate the two countries' connections.

"It is inspired by common themes in two folklore tales: Oisín, Niamh and Tír na nÓg (Ireland) and Youth Without Aging and Life Without Death - Tinerețe fără bătrânețe și viață fără de moarte (Romania)

My image is of Niamh (technically, but both heroes ended up with 'fae' women), she is holding two wooden figures, both of our heroes on their enchanted horses. Beside Oisín is the rock that he ultimately tries to move that causes his downfall. The prince is on his winged steed with a spear and bow that belonged to his Grandfather. Niamh stands in front of a castle window, where the Romanian Prince lives with his fairy Princess and in the window is the sun setting over Tír na nÓg.

Both heroes, for different reasons, pine for their homeland. They both travel back on their enchanted horses and inevitably time has passed differently between both worlds, everyone they knew and loved has long since died, ultimately time catches up to them and they age dramatically and eventually pass away.

In her hair is shamrocks(Ireland) and a peony(Romania)

Her outfit, a mix of modern clothing, traditional Romanian clothing and also included is a cloak pinned with the Tara brooch.

In the Romanian folktale the hero encounters the Woodpecker witch (woodpecker on her shoulder) and the Scorpion witch (also in the embroidery pattern) Around the cuffs are an Irish knotwork pattern.

Her earring has a triskele, a symbol found in Ireland but also in many of the Romanian folktales I read there were a lot of triples - three sons, three princes, three princesses etc

Stars representing the EU and the 'pin' with the Irish EU Presidency logo." - Friz