Caves have always provided refuge for wild animals and indeed for humans, but few animals actually live all of their lives underground. This is because the dark, cool, cave environment lacks a supply of food.
Aillwee Cave was inhabited by animals for thousands of years prior to its discovery by man. The bones of a brown bear - see picture - were found at Bear Haven, together with a series of shallow excavated pits. These may have been used as hibernation pits scraped out by bears. Bears have been extinct in Ireland for over a 1000 years so the Aillwee bear may be of great antiquity.
The best known cave formations are called stalactites and stalagmites. These are pure crystaline forms of the mineral known as calcite, the main component of limestone. When seepages of water enter cave passages some of the dissolved limestone may be re-deposited as tiny crystals. Gradually these crystals build up to form a stalactite or stalagmite.
The "Praying Hands"
There are many
splendid examples of formations in the Aillwee Cave. Calcite formations in the
form of a "wasps nest" and the "Praying Hands" and "the Carrots" are to be seen
as well as many others including a magnificent display of Straw Stalactites.
In the Aillwee Cave most of the formations
are very recent in the history of the cave itself. The small knobbly stalagmites
on the floor of Mud Hall took over 1,000 years to reach their present size 8,000
years ago The larger stalagmites in Midsummer Cavern took 5,000 years to form.
Some samples of calcite taken from deep inside the cave started to form 350,000
years ago.
Tour Information
| Location: | 40 miles from Galway/Limerick & 3 miles south of Ballyvaughan on the R480. |
| Season: | March to November 2000 |
|
Winter Season Tours: |
Weekdays, Three Tours a Day 11.00am, 1.30pm and 3.00pm |
| Opening Times: | March - June 10.00-18.00 July - August 10.00-19.00 Sept. - Nov. 10.00-18.00 |
| Last tour leaves 30 minutes before closing time. |
Groups
Bookings:Booking Contact:
The Office
Entrance Fees for
1999:
Adult £4.75. Child £2.75.
Student Groups:
- National
School - £2.00, Secondary £2.25, Third Level £3.75
Family Tickets:
- 2 Adults + 2 Children £13.50
2 Adults + 4 Children £15.50
Guided Tours:
Max. 40. Duration 35 minutes. Language: English.
Restaurant:
Self service coffee shop. Fast Food outlet outdoors. Ice cream kiosk.
Shop:
Craft Shop, Sweet Shop, Farm Shop.
Information:
Personally guided tours. Flyers Guide book - English, French, German and Spanish.
Story Panels:
No.
Coach Parking:
Yes.
Car Parking:
Yes.
Disabled Access/Toilet:
Limited.
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Ireland