Caves are another primary classification in Irish manuscripts. One near-unifying feature of a cave story is that the cave is the abode of some supernatural woman. These women are often portrayed as terrifying and indestructible, and seduction and sexual power feature as undertones in the stories.
It is the only classification related to a topographical feature. The Book of Leinster lists 10 individual Cave-tales stories or Uatha, although five of them are now lost. The five surviving tales are:
- Uath Beinne Etair LINK / The Cave of Howth 🔗
- Uath Locha Lurgan / The Cave of the Lake of Lurgan
- Uath Angeda / The Cave of Aingean
- Uath Uama Cruachan / The Cave of Crúachán
- Uath Dercce Ferna / The Cave of Derc Ferna
The ones that are lost are as follows:
- Uath Ecalra Imchummair / The Cave of the Church of Inchummar
- Uath Lice Blada / The Cave of the Rock/Flagstone of Blada
- Uath Belaigh Conglais / The Cave of the Road of Cu-glas
- Uath Maige Uatha / The Cave of the Plains of Uatha
- Uath Maige Imbolc / The Cave of the Plains of Imbolg
Stories which aren’t classified as caves in either of the lists but warrant mention are:
- The Cave of Keshcorran