Attracta

Saint Attracta (Athracht) was a virgin consecrated to God in the west of Ireland, a contemporary of Saint Patrick, in the fifth century (the calendars also say 600). She is the patron saint of the parish of Lough Gara and Tourlestrane in County Sligo, and the sister of Bishop Conal of Drumconnell.

A native of County Sligo, she resolved to devote herself to God, but her parents opposed her; she fled to south Connacht and made her first foundation at Drum in County Roscommon, where her brother Conal had established a church; the place came to be called Drumconnell. From there she moved to Greagraighe or Coolavin, where, according to her legend, she took her vows as a nun under Saint Patrick. She then moved to Lough Gara, where she founded a hostel for travellers at a place now called Killaraght in her honor; the hostel survived until 1539. She was known for her charity and hospitality. She lived as an anchoress, first at Killaraght on Lough Gara and then at Drum near Boyle, and both places eventually grew into convents. She was venerated throughout Ireland. She is commemorated on 11 August as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.