Caves of Kesh, Limestone caves in County Sligo, Ireland
Caves of Kesh consist of sixteen chambers cut into the western slope of Keshcorran Hill, connected by passageways running through the limestone rock. The rooms span across the hillside, each opening carved by water and time working through the stone.
The caves formed millions of years ago as water carved through limestone, and were later visited and used by people moving through the region. Excavations in 1901 uncovered bones from ice age animals, revealing that this location had been important across many centuries.
The caves connect to Irish mythology through stories of ancient heroes and magical encounters that remain woven into local folklore today. This link to the old tales shapes how people view and experience this hillside location.
Reaching the caves requires a steep climb of about 220 meters from the road near Ballymote village, located several kilometers south of the main town. The path is demanding and becomes harder as elevation increases, so sturdy shoes and adequate time are needed.
The chambers contain abundant quartz crystals that sparkle in reflected light, adding a glittering quality to the rock surfaces inside. These mineral formations are a visual surprise that many visitors overlook when exploring the passageways.
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