The Family of Medb and Ailill
The fathers, sisters, suitors and brothers of Medb and Ailill, named in the Pillow Talk and at the muster of their army.
Overview
Medb and Ailill name their families in the Pillow Talk, when they compare their wealth and their fathers. The text gives Ailill's parentage three ways. Medb says he is Rus Ruad's son, and Ailill says his mother was Mata Muiresc, Mágach's daughter. When the army gathers at Cruachan, Mágach is the father of Ailill and his six brothers, and the text never reconciles these accounts.
Names in this list
| Name | Note |
|---|---|
| Eochaid Feidlech | The high king of Ireland and Medb's father. He had six daughters, Medb among them. |
| Derbriu | One of Medb's five sisters. |
| Ethne | One of Medb's five sisters. |
| Ele | One of Medb's five sisters. |
| Clothru | One of Medb's five sisters. |
| Muguin | One of Medb's five sisters. |
| Finn | King of Leinster and Rus Ruad's son. Medb's suitor, and Ailill's brother. |
| Coirpre Niafer | King of Temair. Medb's suitor, and Ailill's brother. Father of twelve daughters and of Erc. |
| Eochaid Bee | One of Medb's suitors. She would not go to him. |
| Rus Ruad | Medb calls Finn, Coirpre Niafer and Ailill his sons. The text gives no other account of him. |
| Mata Muiresc | Ailill's mother, Mágach's daughter. Ailill says he took the kingship in succession to her. |
| Mágach | Ailill's maternal grandfather in one passage. In another he is the father of Ailill and his brothers. |
| Anluan | One of Ailill's brothers. He brings a troop of three thousand to Cruachan. |
| Mugcorb | One of Ailill's brothers. He brings a troop of three thousand to Cruachan. |
| Cet | One of Ailill's brothers. He brings a troop of three thousand to Cruachan. |
| En | Named in the list of Ailill's brothers. The text says nothing more about him. |
| Bascall | One of Ailill's brothers. He brings a troop of three thousand to Cruachan. |
| Dóchae | Ailill's brother, called Dóchae mac Mágach. In the fight at Imroll Belaig Eóin his javelin hits his friend Dubthach. |
I let them rule because they were older, not because they are better than I am in grace or giving.