[1][2] The Scottish folklorist Alexander Carmichael in Carmina Gadelica states that she foretells the death of those slain in battle, and that her mourning and weeping cause much anxiety to parents whose sons are in the wars.
Fragments of the dirges said to have been sung by the caoineag before the massacre were collected by Carmichael: Little caoineachag of the sorrow Is pouring the tears of her eyes Weeping and wailing the fate of Clan Donald Alas my grief that ye did not heed her cries
When a death from illness was about to occur, she would appear outside the sick person's house wearing a green shawl and begin lamenting at the door.
[5] She is sometimes conflated with the bean nighe who haunts desolate streams and washes the clothing of those about to die, but in this context the caointeach is more formidable.
[6] Caointeach is also the spelling alternative given by Edward Dwelly in his dictionary of Scottish Gaelic, where she is defined as a "female fairy or water-kelpie".