Athirne or Athairne the Importunate was a poet and satirist of Conchobar mac Nessa's Court in the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology. He was the adoptive father of Amairgin mac Echit, who succeeded him as chief of poets in Uster.
Athirne abused privileges granted to poets, causing wars. He stole three cranes from Midir and refused entrance and hospitality to anyone who approached. Athirne and her two sons fell in love with Luaine, who had to marry Conchobar. When she refused, Athirne wrote a satire on her, who committed suicide for shame. Conchobor picked up all the heroes of Ulster, surrounded Athirne in his home and burned him, killing him and all his family.
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