Aillen

For the hill fort in County Kildare, see Dún Ailinne.

Fionn mac Cumhaill fighting Aillen, illustration by Beatrice Elvery in Violet Russell's Heroes of the Dawn (1914)

Aillen or Áillen is an incendiary being in Irish mythology. He played the harp or timpán and would lull his victims into a deep sleep with his music.[1][2]

Character

Called "the burner",[3] According to the most frequently repeated story, Aillén harasses Cormac's court at Tara every November 1 at Samhain.

Deeds

According to The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn, he would burn Tara to the ground every year at Samhain with his fiery breath after lulling all the inhabitants to sleep with his music.[2] This only ended with the arrival of Fionn mac Cumhaill,[1] who inhaled the poison from his spear to keep himself awake and slew Aillen. The act won him the leadership of the Fianna.

Names

Áillen was also a popular personal name in ancient Ireland and was used by several personages.

References

1. MacKillop, James (2004), "Aillén mac Midgna", A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780198609674, retrieved 20 March 2024
2. Slavin, Michael (1996). The Book of Tara. Wolfhound Press. p. 64. ISBN 9780863275074. Aillen of the Flaming Breath had each year caused chaos at the Assembly by burning Tara down. He came during the night and played such sweet music on his silver harp that everyone present fell into a deep slumber
3. MacKillop, James (1986). Fionn Mac Cumhail: Celtic Myth in English Literature. Syracuse University Press. p. 15. ISBN 9780815623533. Aillén, "the Burner." According to the most frequently repeated story, Aillén harasses Cormac's court at Tara every November 1 at Samhain