In 1986, a statue commemorating the legend of the Children of Lir was unveiled in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. The statue, by sculptor Oisín Kelly, depicts the four children of Lir who were turned into swans by their stepmother and condemned to wander for 900 years. The statue is a powerful symbol of Irish mythology and its enduring relevance to Irish identity.

The Children of Lir statue is a subject of poetic reflection, with writers exploring the meaning of the legend for modern Ireland. The statue's symbolism of exile and endurance is often contrasted with the political struggles of the time, creating a sense of continuity. The poetry of the period reflects the enduring power of Irish mythology, a theme that would persist in the literature of the late 20th century.