Aillen

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

Aillen or Áillen is a being in Irish mythology. Called "the burner", he is a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann who resides in Mag Mell, the underworld. 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. This only ended with the arrival of Fionn mac Cumhaill, who inhaled the poison from his spear to keep himself awake and slew Aillen. The act won him the leadership of the Fianna.

Áillen was also a popular personal name in ancient Ireland and was used by several personages. The fertility goddess Áine is also sometimes known by this name.

Irish mythology: the Fenian Cycle

Supernatural figures	Abarta Aengus Aillen Manannán mac Lir Mug Ruith Niamh Plor na mBan Sadb

Fianna	Caílte Conán mac Lia Conán mac Morna Cumhall Diarmuid Fionn Goll Liath Luachra Oisín Oscar

Others	Bodhmall Cairbre Lifechair Cas Corach Cormac mac Airt Dáire Fíacha Sroiptine Finn Eces Fintan mac Bóchra Gráinne Liath Luachra Muirne Tadg mac Nuadat

Creatures	Airitech Caoránach Enbarr Salmon of Knowledge

Locations	Binn Ghulbain Cnoc Alúine Connla's Well Fionntrá Teamhair Tír na nÓg

Texts	Fotha Catha Chnucha The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn Fionn and Gráinne The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne Cath Gabhra Agallamh na Seanórach Agallamh Bheag Fianshruth Cath Finntrágha

part of a series on Celtic mythology

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