Athracht

Athracht (Modern Irish Naomh Athracht;[1] in Latin sources Attracta) is the patron saint of the parish of Locha Techet (Lough Gara) and Tourlestrane, County Sligo, Ireland. She was a sister of Bishop Conal of Drumconnell. Her feast day is 11 August.

"Attracta" redirects here. For the Irish film, see Attracta (film).
Athracht
Born6th century
Died6th century
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast11 August
PatronageTourlestrane, County Sligo, Ireland

Life

A native of County Sligo, Athracht resolved to devote herself to God, but being opposed by her parents, fled to south Connacht and made her first foundation at Drum, County Roscommon, where her brother Conal had established a church. The place came to be called Drumconnell. From there she removed to Greagraighe or Coolavin, County Sligo.[2] Her legend states that she took her vows as a nun under Saint Patrick at Coolavin. She then moved to Lough Gara, where she founded a hostel for travellers at a place now called Killaraght in her honour. The hostel survived until 1539.[3] She was known for her charity and the hospitality extended to travelers and the homeless.[4]

She lived in the sixth century, and is associated with Conainne. Local tradition remembers her great healing powers. Her convents were famous for hospitality and charity to the poor.

Legacy

A local well is named after her, as is the new secondary school in Tubbercurry and the parish's second church in Kilmactigue.[2]

St. Attracta's Senior School, Dublin is named after her.[5]

Airbus A321LR from Aer Lingus St. Attracta

In September 2019, Aer Lingus took delivery of Airbus A321LR registration EI-LRB and named it Saint Attracta.[6]

Notes
  1. "GAILEARAÍ: 500 dalta ag ceiliúradh na Gaeilge ag bronnadh 'Gaelbhratach' 2017". 5 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  2. Grattan-Flood, William. "St. Attracta." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 28 Oct. 2014
  3. Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-14-051312-4.
  4. Hutchison-Hall, John (Ellsworth). Orthodox Saints of the British Isles, Volume III, St. Eadfrith Press, 2014 ISBN 9780692257661, p. 109
  5. Scoil Shinsireach Naomh Athracht Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Airbus A321LR on planespotters.net

References
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Flood, William Henry Grattan (1907). "St. Attracta". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company.st attracta
  • Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993.

ISBN 0-14-051312-4.

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