The most pious man
Ailill Ochair Aghra is the supreme king in the story and he is also seen as a Saint who can do no wrong. Because of this, it is ironic to see how the man seen as the most pious person is probably the most flawed one and a sinner.
The nun
The nun is raped in the beginning of the story by the King and as a result she gets pregnant with the protagonist of the story. However, what is ironic to see here is the way in which the nun, despite suffering as a result of the king's actions, he continues to love him and respect him.
Killed in the safest place
Ailill Ochair Aghra is killed inside a church, the place where one may fi d safety and comfort. Almost every character is shocked to find that the place where the king died was a church. This is also seen here as an ironic element because in the end, the king was unable to find safety in the most protected place in the world.
Pagan gods
The action in the story takes place in a Christian world and one would think that every character would be a Christian as a result. Ironically, while almost every character identifies as a Christian, they also look for guidance and help in the old pagan Gods. This proves that the world in which the characters lived was a conflicting one.
Maximum number of people
Before embarking on the journey Máel Dúin seeks guidance from a famous druid who tells Máel Dúin that in order to have a successful trip he must be careful not to take too many people on the boat. Ironically, as soon as Máel Dúin finds himself in the open sea, he breaks this rule and takes too many people in, dooming the journey from the beginning.
