Saint Ailill the First (also called Ailill the Elder, Ailill I, Ailiell, Ailild, Ailid, Alild, Ailillus, Alellus, Alildus, Oilill, Oileal, Oileald, Olildus, Olild, Elias, Eulalius, Helias; c. 460 – 13 January 526) was theBishop of Armagh,Ireland from 513 to 13 January 526.
St. Ailill was a member of the Úi Bressail, a clan from the south side ofLough Neagh. He was born in Drum Cád in the Barony ofOneilland East,County Armagh, like his successor and kinsmanAilill the Second.[1] He is sometimes confused with either or all of St. Ailill, Abbot of Moville; Ailill son of Trichem, St. Patrick's disciple &Ailill the Second of Armagh.
On the death of SaintDubthach the First, the Bishop of Armagh, in 513, St. Ailill was appointed as the 8th Bishop in succession toSaint Patrick. Saint Ailill reigned as Bishop for 13 years.
After his death St. Ailill was venerated as a saint and his feast was celebrated each 13 January, the day of his death. The Calendars of the Saints have the following entries-
Martyrology of Gorman 13 January- "Ailill, bishop of Ard Macha"
Martyrology of Tallaght 13 January- "Ailill Epis"
Martyrology of Donegal 13 January- "Ailell, Bishop, of Ard-Macha, A.D., 525"
