Monessa of Ireland

Monessa of Ireland is a fifth-century saint associated with the missionary work of St. Patrick. According to tradition she was the daughter of an Irish chieftain who was converted and baptized by Patrick during his evangelization of Ireland. She is venerated as a virgin and is commemorated on September 4.

The defining feature of the tradition surrounding Monessa is the account of her death: she is said to have reposed at or immediately after her baptism, while still in a state of grace. The year of her death is given as 456. Beyond this, the surviving accounts preserve almost no biographical detail, and the sources note that the record rests on tradition rather than documented history.