Aillwee Cave lies near Ballyvaughan in County Clare, Ireland, in the Burren, a landscape of bare limestone hills and open terraces. It is an extensive cave system that formed over millions of years, and a guided visit is the way most people explore it.
What you will see
- Stalactites hanging from the ceilings and stalagmites rising from the floor, built up slowly by dripping water
- Underground waterfalls within the cave passages
- A bear pit, where brown bears once hibernated
- Illuminated passages that make the route through the rock easy to follow
Planning your visit
Tours are guided, so the visit has a set pace and a clear route through the cave. The passages are cool and damp, so a warm layer and sensible footwear are worth bringing, whatever the weather outside. Contact the site on +353 65 707 7036 to check current arrangements before you set out.
The cave suits anyone curious about geology or about the unusual history of a place where bears once lived underground. It also pairs well with a wider day in the Burren, where the limestone scenery around Ballyvaughan offers walks, coastline and village stops nearby.