That winter three sons of Usnach found their way to the cottage and when she opened the door to them, Deirdre fell in love with Naoise, the tallest and the bravest of the three. Naoise fell in love with Deirdre too but they both knew that their love would be shattered because she had promised to marry the King. So Deirdre and the three sons of Usnach fled to Scotland and lived for some time near the fort in Inverfarigaig.

After a while, the King found out where they were and he was furious!
He hatched a plan and sent his messenger, Fergus to tell them to come back to Ireland and all would be forgiven.

But it was a lie! The next day they all returned to Ireland and were seized by the King’s men. The three sons of Usnach were killed but Deirdre was allowed to live. She was terribly sad at what had happened and, one day, when she was riding in a wagon she flung herself out onto a rock and was killed. That is why she is known as ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows’!