Fachtna

Saint Fachtna (Fachanan), a holy monk, was an Irish abbot, founder of the monastery and school of Ross (Rosscarbery) in County Cork, and, according to tradition, the first bishop of Ross. He was born toward the middle of the 6th century at Tulachteann, of the princely stock of the Corca Laighde, and reposed around the year 600.

He was a pupil of Saint Ita, who brought him up, and, according to the story, was cured of an affliction of the eyes by bathing them in the milk of the mother of Saint Mochoemoc. He then studied at the school of Saint Finbar at Lough Eirce (Gougane Barra). Before Ross he founded the monastery of Molana on an island in the Blackwater near Youghal. The monastery of Ross became the principal monastery of west Cork and had a famous school of Scripture; Saint Brendan the Navigator is said to have taught there too, and the school was crowded with students from every land. From this center the diocese of Ross grew.

In Latin documents he is called Fachtna Facundus, "the eloquent", and in Irish ones Mac Mongach, "the hairy child", because he was said to have been born with his head covered with hair. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 14 August (in some sources 13 August), by the Western calendar (new style). He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.