Marble Arch Caves

The Marble Arch Caves are a series of natural limestone caves  near  Florencecourt, a village  in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland. The caves are named after the nearby Marble Arch, a natural  arch at the upstream end of Cladagh Glen. The Cladagh River flows under it. The caves are formed from three rivers draining off the northern slopes of Cuilcagh mountain, which combine underground to form the Cladagh. On the surface, the river emerges from the largest  resurgence in  the island of Ireland They are just over 7 miles long and are the longest known cave system in Northern Ireland Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is the second of only two UNESCO designated sites in Northern Ireland. Marble Arch Caves  are one of the finest show caves in Europe. They were opened as a tourist attraction by Fermanagh District Council. In 1985. Originally employing only a handful of staff the Marble Arch Caves enjoyed a great deal of success and quickly expanded its facilities to accommodate ever growing numbers of visitors.  The history of both the exploration and development of the caves is fascinating with the caves having been popular in the 19th century and described in detail in 1730 by the Reverend William Henry. In the early and mid 20th century the explorations were advanced by groups of cave explorers from th Yorkshre Ramblers Club from England.In the late 20th and early 21st century the extensions to the known extent of the system have largely been achieved by diving the various sumps.

A number of deaths  of exploratory cavers (not the general public) have occured in these flood prone caves and the caves can be closed if the authorities consider imminent rain can cause danger.

The show caves cover only a small part of the system but the show cave is truly awe inspiring. No matter which show caves you have visited in England this one is far better and is as good as many of the more famous systems in such places as  the Jura mountains and the Ardennes.