Discover what lies beneath the surface as you go underground in County Fermanagh
Descending into the Marble Arch Caves is like stepping into the Underworld. The air is chill, bright sunlight fades to darkness, and the sound of water is everywhere – dripping, trickling, gushing. These caves, with their labyrinth of rivers, waterfalls and vast echoing chambers, were formed over 330 million years ago and reach more than 11km in length. Even today, they are constantly evolving as underground waters continue to shape the County Fermanagh limestone into strange and fantastical formations.
Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh
Courtesy of Marble Arch Caves
Before they were first explored in the late 19th century, the Marble Arch Caves lay undisturbed for millennia with no chink of light to disturb their primordial gloom. The locals knew of their existence but regarded them with superstition and fear. This was a place thought to be inhabited by witches, ghosts and fairies, lying in wait for anyone who dared enter.
It wasn’t until 1895 that two intrepid explorers, Édouard-Alfred Martel and Dublin-born naturalist Lyster Jameson, braved the darkness armed only with candles and magnesium flares to light their way. What they found was extraordinary: passages carved through the rock by the merging of three rivers (the Owenbrean, the Aghinrawn and the Sruh Croppa), underground pools and vast caverns adorned by curious calcite features formed over millions of years.
Book a guided tour of the Marble Arch CavesThe best way to experience the caves is on a 1.5km guided walking tour that takes you deep into this hidden realm, moving through shadowy caverns and into chambers adorned with spectacular stalactites. If underground water conditions allow, the tour also includes a boat trip along a subterranean river.
Your tour will take between 60 and 75 minutes and tickets should be booked online. The tour is suitable for anyone with an average fitness level – sturdy footwear and a coat are recommended.
If you want an alternative to the walking tour, you can enjoy a 10-minute virtual reality experience that brings you on a journey through the caves using cutting-edge technology. Perfect for those with mobility issues that prevent them from descending into the caves. The VR experience must be booked online.
Escape into nature with these great walks around Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh
Courtesy of Marble Arch Caves
Fermanagh boasts a thriving food scene and the café at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre lives up to that reputation. The seasonal menu of home-baked treats, sandwiches and soups features locally sourced ingredients, including herbs, vegetables and salads from the walled garden at the nearby National Trust property, Florence Court.
Other food and drink attractions within easy distance of the Marble Arch Caves include award-winning restaurant MacNean House in the village of Blacklion in County Cavan and the B-Corp-certified The Boatyard Distillery on the shores of Lough Erne.
Discover Fermanagh’s food heritage with the Enniskillen Taste Experience
Devenish Island, County Fermanagh
The Marble Arch Caves are part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, a region of great geological, archaeological and historical significance, straddling the border between counties Fermanagh and Cavan. It’s one of Ireland’s most diverse areas – encompassing everything from rare blanket bog, forest and inland cliffs, to the megalithic tombs of the Cavan Burren Park and the iconic Early Christian monastery on Devenish Island.
Just a 30-minute drive from the Marble Arch Caves lies the bustling market town of Enniskillen, set on an island between Lower and Upper Lough Erne. Known for its impressive riverside castle (which hosts two museums) and easy access to the Fermanagh Lakelands, it makes a great base for exploring the region.
Close to the caves are more unmissable experiences. Florence Court, a picturesque estate with spectacular mountain views, offers guided tours of the 18th-century house, while avid readers will love the secondhand bookshop tucked away in the old stableyard.
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk – known locally as the “Stairway to Heaven” – is an 11km trail across farmland and delicate blanket bogland that ultimately leads you up a steep stairway to a viewing platform at the top of Cuilcagh Mountain.
Stunning scenery, fascinating history, and the awe-inspiring natural wonder of the Marble Arch Caves – sounds like the perfect destination for your next holiday!
Discover Northern IrelandFrom the tranquil lakelands of County Fermanagh to the rugged Causeway Coastal Route and the magnificent Mourne Mountains, start planning your Northern Ireland trip today.
