Limestone caverns, subterranean rivers, and prehistoric sea caves
#1 Aillwee Cave (Irish: Aill Bhuí) is a cave system in the karst landscape of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. The name Aillwee is derived from the Irish Aill Bhuí which means "yellow cliff". Privately owned, it forms part of the Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre attraction.
#2 Doolin Cave (Irish: Pol an Ionain or Poll-an-Ionain) is a limestone cave near Doolin in County Clare, Ireland, on the western edge of The Burren. The name is the anglicised version of the Irish name Poll an Eidhneáin, which is said to translate into "Ivy Cliff Cave". The cave attracted some controversy due to its development and marketing as a show cave in the early 21st century. It is now open to the public, branded as Doolin Cave.
#3 The Caves of Kesh, also known as the Keash Caves or the Caves of Keshcorran (Irish: Uaimheanna na Céise), are a series of limestone caves located near the village of Keash, County Sligo, Ireland. The caves are situated on the west side of Keshcorran Hill (part of the Bricklieve Mountains) and consist of sixteen simple chambers, some interconnecting. The caves have been used by man over several millennia, and it has long been suggested that they were the site of ancient religious practice or gathering such as Lughnasadh. Excavations carried out in the early 20th century, particularly those by Robert Francis Scharff, discovered significant animal remains. Among others, these included bones of brown bear, arctic lemming, Irish elk, and grey wolf.
#4 Crag Cave is a cave in Ireland, located just outside Castleisland, County Kerry. Formed in elevated limestone rock, the system extends to 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) of surveyed passage, on two levels. It is the 7th-longest cave system in the Republic of Ireland, and the 10th-longest in the whole of Ireland.
#5 The Killavullen Caves are limestone caves near the village of Killavullen in County Cork, Ireland. They are situated on the south bank of the River Blackwater at Killavullen Bridge. The caves have been known to local people for hundreds of years, and have been inhabited at various times during their history. Some of them were inhabited when Irish antiquary Thomas Crofton Croker visited in the early 19th century: "...the road winds round a mass of steep limestone rock, in which are natural caverns, used as habitations by the peasantry. One of these was the dwelling of the village smith, the light from whose forge threw a broad and vivid reflection across the road, that lay in the solemnity of deep shadow." The caves are particularly notable for the large number of archaeological and palaeontological remains discovered within. Excavations in one of the caves in 1934 revealed the remains of Irish Elk, brown bear, wolf and reindeer and further excavations produced a human skull. The caves were closed to the public in the early 1990s, with steel doors put in place to prevent access. Public liability reasons were cited at the time of closure.
#6 Dunmore Cave (from Irish Dún Mór 'great fort') is a limestone solutional cave in Ballyfoyle, County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is formed in Lower Carboniferous (Viséan) limestone of the Clogrenan Formation. It is a show cave open to the public, particularly well known for its rich archaeological discoveries and for being the site of a Viking massacre in 928.
#7 Mitchelstown Cave is a limestone cave near Burncourt, County Tipperary, Ireland. Situated 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Mitchelstown, County Cork, it became the first cave in Ireland to be developed for the public in 1972. The cave is located near Mitchelstown, County Cork, but is actually in County Tipperary . It is a local landmark and tourist destination, with a number of caverns open to the public through a guided tour. Noteworthy speleothems include the Tower of Babel column. The largest cavern, known as the Tír na Nóg has hosted concerts and events.
#8 Pollnagollum–Poulelva (usually referred to as Pollnagollum or Poulnagollum) is an active stream passage cave situated in County Clare, Ireland.
Kelly's Cave is a limestone solutional cave and National Monument in County Mayo, Ireland.
Cormac Reagh's Hole is a natural cave situated in County Sligo. It offers visitors a subterranean natural feature to explore within the county.