In this piece, I decided to reconcile the ways that my experiences as an American woman and a lesbian have intersected with my Irish heritage. This piece represents my attempt to bring together my seemingly conflicting identities, which I've done by re-writing the classic Irish myth of Midir and Etain. In the original, Etain is a passive, idealized wife figure who exists for the benefit of men, and Fuamnach is treated as a demonized, jealous troublemaker; I recast Fuamnach as Etain's self-sacrificing savior from a man who treats her as a possession, and reframe the story to center on two women's love and devotion to each other. I chose to accomplish this through the medium of the illuminated manuscript, which is a staple of Irish visual culture. By uniting Irish visual tradition with LGBT symbols and a lesbian version of a very heteronormative myth, I attempt to create a space where I can see myself reflected in my own cultural heritage. 
Cover page: "Fuamnach and Etain."
"Etain was astonished at these words, but she knew in her heart that Fuamnach spoke the truth."If this is so, & you loved me, why were we separated?"
"Through the wrath of my husband, Midir, who wanted to keep you prisoner. I freed you from him, rather-"
"Etain and Fuamnach flew up through the sky light of the sidhe & turned into a pair of beautiful swans. Then they flew away toward Bri Lieth, where they lived happily for ever after."
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