Crobh Dearg

Latiaran or Lateerin is a legendary Irish saint, associated with a sacred well in the county of Cork, and usually described as one of three sisters. She appears in local folklore but not in any official calendar of saints, and may be influenced by pre-Christian mythology.

History The meaning of Latiaran's name is unknown. "Latiaran Day," celebrated on or around July 25, is associated with the beginning of harvest.

Latiaran's sacred well is located in Cullen in County Cork, next to a ruined church. Next to the well is a whitethorn tree supposedly planted by Latiaran. A heart-shaped stone in the graveyard is supposed to be either the site of a legend or her gravestone. Latiaran Day involved festivities around the well.

Legend Legends claim that Latiaran and her sisters and brothers began living at Cullen, but the others traveled away to other locations. In one story, after moving away, the sisters were unable to visit often because of the thick forest between them, so angels made a road for them. A poem version, "The Romance of Lateeran," is attributed to the Irish poet James Clarence Mangan, although its authorship is debated.

According to one source collected by the Irish Folklore Commission from Raheen in County Kerry, both "Lotearan" and "Crobh-Dhearg" had the power to carry live coals of fire in their aprons for long distances without burning anything.

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