Ailill (Ailell, Oilioll) is a male name in

Old Irish Old Irish, also called Old Gaelic ( sga, Goídelc, Ogham script: ᚌᚑᚔᚇᚓᚂᚉ; ga, Sean-Ghaeilge; gd, Seann-Ghàidhlig; gv, Shenn Yernish or ), is the oldest form of the Goidelic/Gaelic language for which there are extensive writt ...

. It is a prominent name in

Irish mythology Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by Ch ...

, as for

Ailill mac Máta Ailill mac Máta is the king of the Connachta and the husband of queen MedbMatson, Gienna: ''Celtic Mythology A to Z'', page 2. Chelsea House, 2004. in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He rules from Cruachan (Rathcroghan in County Roscomm ...

King of Connacht The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the ''cóiced'' (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named ...

and husband of Queen Medb, on whom

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

based the Fairy Queen Mab. Ailill was a popular given name in medieval Ireland, meaning something like "beauty".

Notables named Ailill

Ailill Aulom Ailill Ollamh (or Oilill Olum) in Irish traditional history was the son of Mug Nuadat and was a king of the southern half of Ireland, placed in the 3rd century by early modern Irish genealogy. Sadb ingen Chuinn, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Ba ...

, early 1st millennium druid and King of Munster
Scéla Mosaulum
' *

, legendary King of Connacht and husband of Queen Medb *

Ailill mac Slanuill Ailill (Ailell, Oilioll) is a male name in Old Irish. It is a prominent name in Irish mythology, as for Ailill mac Máta, King of Connacht and husband of Queen Medb, on whom Shakespeare based the Fairy Queen Mab. Ailill was a popular given name in ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 12th century BC *

Ailill Finn Ailill Finn, son of Art mac Lugdach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. In the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'', he succeeded to the throne when his father was killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his s ...

, legendary High King of the 8th century BC * Ailill Caisfhiaclach, legendary High King of the 5th century BC *

Ailill mac Echach Mugmedóin Ailill mac Echach Mugmedóin was an Irish prince, the son of the high king Eochaid Mugmedón (d.362) by his wife Mongfind, sister of Crimthann mac Fidaig (d.367). He was ancestor of the Uí nAilello dynasty of Connacht. He lived in the late 4th c ...

, half-brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages (5th century AD) * Ailill Molt, High King of the 5th century AD *

Ailill Inbanda Ailill Inbanda mac Eógain (died 549) was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was the son and successor of Eógan Bél, who was slain by the northern Ui Neill in 542. His nickname Inbanda means "womanish" or effe ...

(died c. 549), King of Connacht * Saint Ailill the First, 6th century Bishop of Armagh *

Ailill the Second Saint Ailill the Second (also called Ailill the Younger, Ailill II, Ailiell, Ailild, Ailid, Alild, Ailillus, Alellus, Alildus, Oilill, Oileal, Oileald, Olildus, Olild, Elias, Eulalius, Helias) b. c.480 - d. 1 July 536, was the Bishop of Armagh ...

, 6th century Bishop of Armagh * Ailill mac Rechtaide, 6th century patriarch of the Ó Faircheallaigh and the Ó Fearghuis *

Ailill Cruitire Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine (died 634) was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato (died 604). His byname meant "harper". The exact date of his ...

, 7th century King of Brega *

Ailill Medraige mac Indrechtaig Ailill Medraige mac Indrechtaig (died 764) was a King of Connacht from the Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Indrechtach mac Dúnchado Muirisci (died 707), a previous king and grandson of Dúnchad Muirisci mac Tiprai ...

(died 764), King of Connacht * Ailill, 9th century

Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the ot ...

References

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