Aillwee Cave, Show cave in County Clare, Ireland
Aillwee Cave is a show cave system in County Clare that extends deep into the mountain with underground rivers, waterfalls, and mineral formations. The passages contain stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor throughout the accessible sections.
A farmer named Jack McGann discovered the cave in 1944 while following his dog chasing a rabbit into a hole. Systematic exploration started decades later in 1973, revealing the site's significance.
The name comes from the Irish words Aill Bhuí, meaning yellow cliff, which describes the limestone formations visible throughout the site. These pale stone walls shape how visitors experience the underground passages.
Guided tours lead visitors through about 300 meters of passages, ending at the Highway section before exiting through a 250-meter artificial tunnel. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip since the cave floor is uneven and can be damp.
Archaeologists found bones of brown bears over 10,000 years old inside the cave, indicating it was one of Ireland's last bear dens during the Ice Age. This discovery reveals how the area once supported large predators that no longer exist in the region.
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