Doolin Cave, also known as 'Poll an Ionain', is located in the Burren region of County Clare. Discovered in 1952 it consists of about 6 miles (roughly 10.5km) of passage. The main feature of the cave is 'The Great Stalactite'. This measures almost 7 metres in length making it one of the largest free hanging stalactites in the world.
Just over 6km south of Ballymote, these caves have associations reaching back to mythology. Human remains, and those of animals such as the cave bear, the arctic lemming, the reindeer and the Irish elk were found here. Keshcorran, the mountain containing the caves, affords spectacular views of the countryside.
Known in Old Irish literature as one of the darkest places in Ireland and as the place where the monster Luchtigern 'The Lord of the Mice' was slain, this cave was plundered by Godfry and the Vikings of Dublin in 928. In this raid, 1,000 people were killed, and the numerous human bones found in the cave are thought to be the remains of the victims.
The cave is divided into three main parts, of which Haddon Hall and chambers leading off it are difficult to access. The wide entrance shaft leads to the second part, which is the main chamber. Ahead lies a high chamber which is practically a cul-de-sac, while the portion to the left has a floor of eccentric blocks and a stalagmite on the east wall. From here an ascent leads to the third part, the chamber with the 'Market Cross' - a huge stalagmite in the middle of the triangular chamber. To the right and left of the chamber are other dripstone formations, and the blocks forming the floor are covered in stalagmite bosses. <
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