In Irish mythology, Aengus or Óengus is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann and probably originally a god associated with youth, love,[1] summer and poetic inspiration.

[9] In a late folktale recorded in Scotland, the following physical description is provided: "Then Angus mounted his white steed and rode eastward...He was clad in raiment of shining gold, and from his shoulders hung his royal robe of crimson which the wind uplifted and spread out in gleaming splendour athwart the sky.

[8] In Irish myths, Aengus is variously described in the following terms: The Dagda has an affair with Boann, the goddess of the River Boyne.

To hide the pregnancy from Elcmar, the Dagda casts a spell on him, making "the sun stand still" so he will not notice the passing of time.

[15] It has been suggested that this tale represents the winter solstice illumination of Newgrange at Brú na Bóinne, during which the sunbeam (the Dagda) enters the inner chamber (the womb of Boann) when the sun's path stands still.

Elcmar then tells Aengus that he would have given him the Brú if he had but asked, but due to Manannán's incantation, he and his people will face woe and madness for the rest of their days.

In The Wooing of Etain, Aengus is able to partially lift a spell against Étaín, the horse goddess he won for his brother Midir.

Aengus turns himself into a swan and they fly away, singing beautiful music that puts all who listen to sleep for three days and nights.

Aengus remains in Tír na nÓg all winter until he has a dream of Brigid that compels him to search the land for her.

Angus finally leaves Tír na nÓg on his white steed by borrowing three days from August in order to search for Brigid.

Angus marries Brigid in a wedding feast, which is disrupted by Beira, who chases them off with storm clouds on her black steed.

Eventually Beira grows old and weak and has to return to the Well of Youth for rejuvenation, where she again falls asleep, and Angus and Bride become the King and Queen of summer.

Angus is "weak minded and light headed," and in punishment Beira traps her son in the rocks, where he is forced to repeat the words of others (i.e.

In Scottish folklore Aengus possesses a golden harp with silver strings, and when he plays it maidens and youths follow the music through the woods.