The site takes its name from the Irish word ‘tearmann’, meaning sanctuary or refuge, combined with a personal name that likely refers to a local saint or founder. What remains today are the weathered stones of a castle that once served as both fortress and ecclesiastical centre, a dual purpose common in medieval Ireland when religious and secular power often overlapped.

The castle ruins themselves are modest but evocative, with partial walls and foundations tracing the outline of what was once a substantial structure. Archaeological evidence suggests the site had religious significance before the castle’s construction, possibly hosting an earlier church or monastic settlement. The strategic position overlooking Lough Conn would have provided both spiritual isolation for religious contemplation and practical advantages for defence and trade. Local tradition holds that the site maintained its sanctuary status well into the late medieval period, offering protection to those seeking refuge under ancient Brehon laws.

Today, visitors to Tearmann Caithreach will find a peaceful spot where stone walls frame views across the lough’s waters. The site remains relatively unknown compared to Mayo’s more famous monuments, making it an ideal destination for those interested in Ireland’s lesser-visited medieval landscapes. While time and weather have reduced the castle to ruins, the location still carries something of its original purpose; a quiet sanctuary removed from the modern world, where the boundaries between history, legend and landscape blur together in that peculiarly Irish way.