Marble Arch Caves, Show cave in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Marble Arch Caves form a cave system extending 11.5 kilometers beneath Cuilcagh Mountain, containing underground rivers and limestone formations. The network displays stalactites, stalagmites, and columns created by slow mineral deposits.
Initial exploration began in 1895 when Édouard-Alfred Martel and Lyster Jameson navigated the passages using basic equipment and boats. Cave explorers mapped the system over following decades and eventually opened it to the public.
The name refers to a natural limestone formation near the exit that resembles a vaulted archway. Visitors today experience an underground landscape shaped over millions of years by flowing water.
Guided tours last 75 minutes and include boat rides along with walking sections across 154 steps in cooler temperatures. Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended as pathways can be damp.
Three separate rivers from Cuilcagh Mountain merge underground to create the Cladagh River, which resurfaces through one of Ireland's largest karst springs. This water system carries thousands of tons of dissolved limestone annually.
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