Conainne, also known as Dachonna, ( ) was an Irish missionary and saint. The Irish terms of endearment, ''mo'' and ''do'', were regularly added to the names of Irish saints and secular people, hence the origin of her diminutive

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

, Dachonna. Conainne was a female missionary who evangelised in the

Soghain The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. The 17th-century scholar Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin. Mac Fhirbhisigh stated that the Cruithin included "the Dál Araidhi ál nAraidi th ...

area of

County Galway "Righteousness and Justice" , anthem = () , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg , map_caption = Location in Ireland , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = ...

. She founded a church at ''Cell Conainne'' ('the church of Conainne'), modern-day

Kilconnell Kilconnell () is a small rural village in County Galway, Ireland. The village gives its name to the barony of Kilconnell, formerly held by the Lords de Freyne. In 2006 David Tye purchased the original feudal Barony of Kilconnell created in 117 ...

, it appears that the name of the more widely known

St Connell ST, St, or St. may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Stanza, in poetry * Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band * Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise * Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy ...

was by error substituted for Connainne/Dachonna after the 16th century. The ''

Martyrology of Oengus A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs and other saints and beati arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by na ...

'' says she was of the Uí Maine, and lists her under the date 8 March, stating: She was a stepsister of

Saint Senan In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and denomination. In Catholic, Eastern Ortho ...

. The Life of Saint

Attracta Athracht (Modern Irish ''Naomh Adhracht''; in Latin sources ''Attracta'') is the patron saint of the parish of Locha Techet (Lough Gara) and Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo, Ireland. She was a sister of Bishop Conal of Drumconnell. Her feast day is ...

states that Attracta approached her brother Bishop

Conal Conal (or Conall) was an Irish bishop who flourished in the second half of the fifth century and ruled over the church of Drum, County Roscommon, the place being subsequently named Drumconnell, after St. Conal. Life He was a brother of Attr ...

of Drumconnell and sought permission to erect a nunnery close to his own foundation. He prevailed upon St. Conainne to request Attracta not to build in the area. St Attracta complied with her brother's wishes but was very displeased and is said to have denounced his church. The barony of Tiaquin takes it name from ''Tigh Dachaoine'' or Saint Dachonna’s House."Barony of Tiaquin', Skehana and District Heritage
/ref> It is thought that a children's burial ground may mark the site of the church. Furthermore, the burial ground itself is called ''Leacht an Óra'' ("the stone monument of adoration")

Notes

References

* Mannion, Joseph. ''The Life, Legends and Legacy of Saint Kerrill: A Fifth-Century East Galway Evangelist'', 2004. 0 954798 1 3 {{Authority control Christian clergy from County Galway 5th-century Irish women Medieval Irish saints 5th-century Irish priests Female saints of medieval Ireland

See also

Notes

References