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