Tober Caelainn

Traditionally, when St Caolin plucked out her eyes to dissuade a suitor a well appeared at that location. A subsequent outrage caused the well to move c. 20m to its present location but to remain dry (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 80; Lupeta 1912). The saint is Caolainn of Termon More (RO026-034----) c. 1.4km to the SSE, who was descended from the Ciarraighe. This tribe gave their name to the county of Kerry, but a branch migrated to this territory in Connaught and the saint’s church is recorded in these stories. Traditionally, her feast was celebrated on 3 February (Ó Riain 2011, 151-2). Situated towards the bottom of a gentle S-facing slope. This is a circular drystone-built well (diam. c. 0.4m; D 0.5m) which is dry, with an oak tree holding offerings 1m to the SE. The site of Termonkeelin church (RO020-043001-) is c. 450m to the E. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revised upload: 2 July 2015

Tober Caelainn is associated with St Caolin, a female saint whose legend recounts her plucking out her eyes to reject a suitor, leading to the miraculous appearance of a well. The well is said to have moved short distances in response to local disturbances, though it remains dry, reflecting a common motif in Irish holy well folklore where wells respond to human actions or emotions.