Witch-Queen of Connacht
Mongfind was a queen of Connacht, the wife of King Eochaid Mugmedón, and a woman of considerable magical power. She had three sons — Brión, Ailill, and Fergus — and she wanted one of them to become High King of Ireland. Her husband also had another son: Niall of the Nine Hostages, later known as Niall of the Nine Hostages, born of a rival woman. Mongfind worked hard to push her sons’ claim and block Niall’s.
Her final move was a poisoned cup. She offered it to Niall. The plan was discovered. She was forced to drink it herself and died.
She did not disappear. The festival of Féile Moingfhinne — Mongfind’s Festival, associated with Samhain’s Eve — was said to be named for her. Women and the lower orders of society were said to appeal to her spirit on that night. The queen who died by her own poison became someone the powerless called on at the darkest time of the year.
Her name means “long-haired one” or “long-flowing mane.”
Key facts about Mongfind
- Names: Mongfind (“Long-Haired One” or “Long-Flowing Mane”)
- Rules over: Dynastic ambition; magical power; the Samhain underworld
- Weapons: Poisoned cup
- Animals: Not recorded
- Other Symbols: Féile Moingfhinne (Samhain’s Eve festival)
- Parents: Not recorded
- Siblings: Not recorded
- Spouse: Eochaid Mugmedón
- Children: Brión, Ailill, Fergus
- Greek equivalent: Medea (the dangerous woman whose magical power is deployed in the service of dynastic ambition)
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Link will appear as Mongfind: https://irishgodsandgoddesses.net - Irish Gods & Goddesses, March 22, 2026