The sculpture was created by the artist Oisin Kelly as a sign of rebirth and resurrection. The Irish legend is the story of Lir who was outraged after Bodb Derg was elected king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. In an effort to please Lir the new king sent one of his daughters, Aoibh, to be Lir’s wife. After having four children Aoibh dies leaving her husband and children distraught. Bodb Derg sends a second daughter, Aoife, to be Lir’s new wife. Angry and jealous over the children’s love for their father and dead mother, Aoife unsuccessfully plots to kill the children. Instead she chooses to magically turn them into chained swans waiting 900 years for freedom. When the curse is finally lifted and the chains are broken the children are again human but old and withered, symbolizing Ireland’s long fight for freedom.

Left of the statue is a poem written by Liam Marc Uiarin in traditional aisling style. Titled We Saw a Vision the poem furthermore illustrates Ireland’s dream and path to successfully attaining their independence.

In the darkness of despair we saw a vision, We lit the light of hope and it was not extinguished. In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision. We planted the tree of valour and it blossomed. In the winter of bondage we saw a vision. We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it. We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality. Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance. O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision.