Spelunking in Ireland!

Staligtite, Doolin Cave, Co Clare

Ireland has always been well known for its impressive cliffs and rolling green countryside. However, not many know that many parts of Ireland are well known for their spectacular caves, formed deep within the limestone that is characteristic of large portions of the small Island. The most well known of these cave systems is the Aillwee caves in Co. Clare. As part of the Burren national park, these caves are a popular tourist destination among those who visit the wonders of the Burren Park. This cave system has been developed many times over the years and currently boasts a 45 minute guided tour which takes visitors beneath 90 feet of limestone at its deepest point. These caves contain the hibernation chambers of the European brown bears, a species no longer found in Ireland.

There are many other lesser known caves that can be visited and toured as well. Also within the Burren national park is the Doolin Cave. This cave is a much more rugged experience, requiring a moderate physical fitness level as there are 125 steps down into the cave, the equivalent of an 8 story building. This cave experience often take over an hour and a half to experience and cannot be enjoyed after heavy rain as the cave system floods in several places, making the path inaccessible. A hard hat is required to visit these caves as the carved entrance tunnel is quite small. Though all these hardships are very worth it as the Doolin cave boasts the largest free hanging Stalactite in Europe and one of the three largest in the entire world. This cave is also privately owned and operated, providing the unique opportunity for one of the owners to utilize the clay contained within the caves to craft unique pottery which can be purchased during your visit.

And its not just in the Burren that caves can be found. In the north of Ireland the Marble Arch Caves can be found. These caves are filled with hundreds of stalactites and are pitch black without outside light. As part of the tour the guide will shut off the lights and allow you to experience the caves as they occur naturally, no light, just sound and the feeling of a slight breeze. This cave contains a river and depending on water levels, a boat tour is available through parts of the cave inaccessible by foot.

All of these caves and many more are an experience that any visitor to Ireland should experience.