In Irish Mythology Áed Ruad or Áedh Ruadh, "the red", was a High King of Ireland. He ruled in rotation with his cousins Díthorba and Cimbáeth, each ruling for seven years in turn. Each ruled for three seven-year periods.

Áed died at the end of his third seven-year stint, drowned in a waterfall which became known as Eas Ruaid, "the red's waterfall" (Assaroe , County Donegal). When his turn came around again his daughter Macha demanded the kingship in her father's place. Díthorba and Cimbaeth refused, but Macha defeated them on the battlefield, and Díthorba was killed. Macha married Cimbáeth and forced Díthorba's sons to build Emain Macha. After Cimbáeth died she became the only queen in the List of High Kings of Ireland.