Aillinn, daughter of Laoghaire Mac Fergus Fairge (some say her father was Eoghan Mac Daithi), grand daughter of the King of Leinster, lived a long time ago. Her life was blessed and simple, until she fell in love with a young man by the name of Baile. Baile was the son of Buain, and just happened to be the heir to the kingdom of Ulster. In those days, Leinster and Ulster were the greatest and bitterest of enemies. So, the two had to keep their love for one another secret, lest one of their fathers or grandsires hear of the doomed relationship.

Trying to cheat fate, the two lovers planned a secret asignation. They planned to meet each other on the shore new Dun Dealgan, also called Dundalk. Baile arrived first and was met by a stranger who told him that Leinster warriors had found them out and stopped Aillinn's journey. He told Baile that Aillin had died from the grief of not being able to come to him. The stranger then returns to Aillin and tells her of Baile's death. She promptly drops dead with grief.

The mysterious stranger is said to be none other than one of the Gods! (although they do not say which). Personally, I think it was Amadan Dubh, the "Fairy Fool" or "Dark Fool". Who else would do such a wicked thing?!

Baile was buried at Traigh mBaile and from his grave a Yew tree grew. From Aillinn's grave an Apple tree grew. Legend has it that the poets from both Leinster and Ulster cut a branch from each of the trees. From those branches they made wands, and on those wands they carved the tragedy in Ogham (the earliest form of Irish writing).

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Cuchulain of Muirthemne By Lady Augusta Gregory [1902]

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cuch/index.htm

NOTES

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cuch/lgc25.htm