Pollnagollum, Cave system in the Burren, Ireland
Pollnagollum is a cave system in the limestone landscape of County Clare's Burren region. Multiple openings allow entry into passages that follow underground streams and contain natural waterfalls where water cascades over harder rock layers.
Initial documented exploration took place in 1880 when T. J. Westropp first entered the cave and reached the Main Junction. This early investigation established the foundation for modern understanding of the cave's internal layout.
The name derives from Irish "Poll na gCollum", meaning "Hazel Hole", reflecting the plants that once grew around the cave openings. Today, visitors can still observe the natural vegetation that originally gave the place its name.
Visiting requires moderate physical fitness as some passages can be narrow or slippery with damp surfaces. A flashlight is essential because the cave receives no artificial lighting and darkness is complete inside.
The cave contains underground waterfalls formed where streams encounter chert, a hard rock layer that resists dissolution and creates natural cascades. This geological feature creates an uncommon characteristic rarely seen in other European cave systems.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
