Cóelfhind (mod. Ir. Caelainn, Caoilinn)

Cóelfhind (mod. Ir. Caelainn, Caoilinn) (6th cent.), foundress of Termonmore and saint in the Irish tradition, was (according to the genealogies) daughter of Cóel son of Finchad of the Ciarraige Aí of Connacht, and Medb daughter of Garbán, who belonged to the Uí Saithgil line of the Ciarraige Luachra. Claims that Cóelfhind was baptised by St Patrick (qv) are difficult to reconcile with the tradition that her people were granted lands in Connacht in the reign of Áed Abrat (qv) (d. 577). Cóelfhind founded her convent at Termann Cóelfhindi (Termonmore, Kilkeevin, near Castlereagh, Co. Roscommon); she was revered as the protectress of the Ciarraige of Connacht and was long venerated by the people of Co. Roscommon. She is perhaps to be identified with the Caillann who, with more than a dozen other virgins, was involved in a lorica (a prayer for bodily and spiritual protection) against demons, evil men, and various other ills. The year of her death is not recorded; presumably she died on 3 February, under which date she is commemorated in the martyrologies.