Ailell

Also known as: Ailell Anglonach · Role: Eochaid's brother · First appears: The Gods · The Ever-living Living Ones · Midhir and Etain · Part 2

At the feast at Teamhair, Ailell, brother of Eochaid Airem, fell in love with his brother’s wife, Etain Echraide. After the feast, desire and envy made him sick; he was taken to a house in Teffia, where he wasted away for a year without revealing the cause.

At the year’s end, Eochaid Airem visited him and sent his physician, Fachtna, who judged that the sickness came either from jealousy or unreturned love. Before leaving on a journey through Ireland, Eochaid Airem charged Etain Echraide to care for Ailell. She tended him each day and promised to meet his desire, but Midhir revealed that he had caused the desire and kept Ailell from meeting her to protect her good name. When Etain Echraide told him what had happened, Ailell was well again and said, “I am well of my sickness and your good name is not lessened.” On Eochaid Airem’s return, he heard the story and thanked Etain Echraide for her kindness to Ailell.