5th century. Saint Attracta seems to have been a contemporary of
Saint Patrick (f.d. March 17),
although she may have lived a century later.
Tradition tells us that she was born into a noble Irish family. When
she was refused permission to enter the convent, she fled to Saint
Patrick and received the veil from him at Coolavin. She was definitely
a hermit at Killaraght on Lough Gara in Sligo, and later at Drum near
Boyle. Convents developed at both locations under her direction. The
hospice
she founded for travellers at Killaraght endured for a thousand years
and was well reputed for its hospitality and charity to the poor. Saint
Attracta is venerated throughout Ireland, but especially in the west,
both for the lasting foundations she made and for the spectacular
miracles attributed to her intercession, especially those of healing.
She is the patroness of the Diocese of Achonry and her name is popular
among Irish girls
(
Attwater,
Benedictines,
Delaney,
Montague).