Aichleach

[I] He slew Fionn Mac Cumhail during a rebellion of the Fianna. See Uigreann.

Aidín

[I] A foreigner who became the wife of Oscar. Hearing of his death at the battle of Gabhra, she died of grief and was buried by Oisín, Oscar’s father, on Ben Edar (Howth) where an Ogham stone was set up in her memory.

Aige

[I] A daughter of Broccaid Mac Brice. Because of the envy of a druidess, she was turned into a fawn and slain by the warriors of Meilge, the High King. See Meilge.

Ailbe

[I] A daughter of Cormac Mac Art who answered a set of riddles put to her by Fionn Mac Cumhail, won his love, and was invited to live with him. The name also occurs as that of the hound of Mac Da Thó.

Aileach

[I] A major fortress in Ulster whose ruins still stand five miles northwest of Derry in Co. Donegal. It was said to be built by the Tuatha Dé Danaan, and it was here that Mac Cuill, Mac Cécht, and Mac Gréine and their wives, the goddesses Banba, Fótla, and Éire, decided to divide Ireland between them. It was also the royal residence of the kings of Ulster and later the kings of Ireland until the fourth century a.d. It became the seat of the Ó Néill kings until the early twelfth century, when it was destroyed by Murchertagh, of Munster.

Ailill

[I] A common name in Irish myth, in which there are about eight prominent Ailills. It was the name of a king of Leinster who was poisoned by Cobthach, king of Bregia, and whose son was made to eat his flesh. The son was struck dumb and became known as Móen (dumb).

Perhaps the most famous of the Ailills was Ailill Mac Máta, king of Connacht and husband of Medb. He features prominently in the T�in Bó Cuailgne saga. He was eventually slain by Conall Cearnach in revenge for the death of Fergus Mac Roth. Ailill is also the name given to the brother of the High King of Ireland, Eochaid. This Ailill fell in love with his brother’s wife, Étain. But Étain did not reciprocate his love and arranged for Ailill to fall into an enchanted sleep from which he awoke cured of his love.

Ailill Agach, “Edge of Battle,” was the father of the famous Mael Dúin whose death started him on his fabulous voyage. Then there was Ailill of Aran, who offered his three daughters in marriage to the ocean god Lir. Another was Ailill Dubh-dédach, who, rather