Fanchea

Saint Fanchea was an Irish nun of the age of the undivided Church and the sister of Saint Enda of Aran. She is also called Fanchea of Rossory or of Killeany.

She came from a ruling family of Oriel and was born at Rathmore near Clogher, one of the four daughters of Conall Derg. Although a neighbouring chieftain wished to marry her, she resolved to give herself to God and, with the help of her sister Darenia, she built a monastery at Rossory on the shore of Lough Erne in Fermanagh.

Tradition credits her with the conversion of her brother Enda, a warrior who laid down his arms after his sister brought him face to face with the thought of death and judgement. She reposed around 520 and was buried at Killane.

She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 1 January (new style).