Mitchellstown varies from most of Ireland’s other show caves in being a very low key place, still owned and run by the same family on whose land it was discovered in 1833. You buy your ticket at the family’s home, there are basic amenities like toilets and picnic tables available, but no shop, cafe or other facilities.
This is in my book a very wonderful thing, a great break from the normal highly commercialised tourist experience.
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Marble Arch caves are Ireland largest caves, both in terms of the extent and the sheer hugeness of some of the internal spaces.
The caves have been open to the public since 1985, though first discovered in 1895, and are explored by guided tours which are partly on boats navigating subterranean rivers.
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Ailwee Caves are Ireland’s largest cave system, deep beneath the Burren in Co Clare, and can be explored during a guided tour.
There is a good cafe on the site and an excellent farm shop outside – which I highly recommend for tasty treats to sustain you up on a hard day’s touring!
There is also an excellent farm shop here.
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While many cave systems open to visitors in Ireland were discovered relatively recently, this one has been known about since at least the 9th century, and its history is as interesting as its geology.
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