Mongfhind

1. Wife of Eochaid Mugmedón and jealous stepmother of Niall Noígiallach [of the Nine Hostages]. She forces Niall's mother, the bondswoman Cairenn, to do menial labour on her behalf. But in Echtra Mac nEchach Muigmedóin [The Adventure of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedón], Niall makes love to a sovereignty goddess and so assumes the kingship ahead of Mongfhind's four sons. Although many records imply that she was a mortal woman, such as being sister of the pre-Patrician king Crimthann Mór mac Fidig, Mongfhind may have been originally a divinity. At one time prayers at Halloween were addressed to her to ward off evil, especially by the women of Munster. This was explained by the story that she had died at Samain time by taking poison intended for Niall.

2. Often Mongfhionn, Mong-Fhinn; also Mong Bán. Nurse and teacher of the Fianna Éireann, most notably Diarmait Ua Duibne, Gíona mac Lugha, and Mac Lughach.