Áed Ruad

Áed Ruad was the king of Ulaid (Ulster). Áed Ruad was the brother of Cimbáeth and Dithorba (some said they were his cousins). He was the father of Macha.

Áed Ruad and his brothers ruled Ulster, each of them ruling for a term of seven years in a 21-year cycle. Before he could complete his term, Áed Ruad drowned in a waterfall, which was named Assaroe after him.

Since he didn’t complete his term, Áed Ruad’s daughter Macha should have ruled in his place to complete his term, but his brothers opposed Macha.

At his death, Macha refused to give up the throne to her uncles. Macha killed Dithorba in a war and compelled her other uncle (Cimbáeth) to marry her. It was Macha who founded Ulster’s capital, Emain Macha, where Dithorba’s five sons worked as slaves to construct the royal fort. (See Emain Macha for more information about his daughter, Macha.)