Ailill

Also known as: Ailill Mac Matae · Family: Connaught · Role: king · First appears: This is the Story in Order · Part 1

Ailill, also known as Ailill Mac Matae, was king of Connaught and husband of Medb. Their daughter was Findabair, and their son Orlam is identified in The Death of Orlam; Mane (son of Ailill and Medb) went before the host in This is the Harrying of Cualnge · Part 1. Ailill and Medb assembled a great hosting of the Connaughtmen and sent messengers to the seven sons of Magach, including Ailill (son of Magach), and to Cormac Condlongas. At Cruachan Ai, the four provinces gathered and waited for a good omen. In This is the Story in Order · Part 1, the Leinstermen were distributed among the host.

At Findabair Cuailnge, in another version related in This is the Harrying of Cualnge · Part 1, Medb divided the host, sending Ailill by Midluachair while she and Fergus went by Bernas Ulad. At Cluichre, Cuillius, Ailill’s charioteer, discovered Medb and Fergus together and brought Ailill Fergus’s empty sword sheath. In The Death of the Squirrel, Cuchulainn killed the bird on Ailill’s shoulder with a sling-stone. In This is the Harrying of Cualnge · Part 2, Cuchulainn killed Cuillius with a stone. Ailill then sent Mac Roth to offer Cuchulainn compensation and service, but Cuchulainn refused to barter his allegiance.

In The Woman-fight of Rochad, Cuchulainn granted Ailill and Medb a sword-truce. Later, in The Healing of the Morrigan · Part 2, Folloman vowed not to return to Emain until he had taken Ailill’s head and golden crown. In The Healing of the Morrigan · Part 5, Ailill’s folk put the crown on Tamun because Ailill dared not wear it. When Mac Roth reported that the Ulstermen had emerged from their sickness, Ailill decided, “We will await them.” In The Muster of the Men of Ireland Here · Part 1, Ailill gave Fergus his sword for battle; in Part 2, Ailill and Medb made peace with the Ulstermen and Cuchulainn.