Explore a fascinating natural underworld - Marble Arch Caves
Exciting boat trips and adventure at one of Europe’s finest showcaves
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Take a boat trip through the fascinating underground world of glistening stalactites and bewildering cave formations. Be spellbound by one of Europe's finest natural wonders deep under Cuilcagh Mountain in the heart of Co. Fermanagh!
Welcome to another world!
Step into a fascinating natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Be transported back in time over 330 million years to when this wondrous other world had its origins.
This is the exciting adventure that awaits you when you visit Marble Arch Caves in Co. Fermanagh, one of Europe's finest showcaves.
Be mesmerized by the spectacular sights that surround you as you take a boat journey through this amazing spectacle. The electrically powered boats glide through huge caverns as they carry visitors along the subterranean river.
Look in awe as informative guides point out a bewildering variety of cave formations all around you. Stalactites glisten above stream ways and chambers. Fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite serve as coating for the cavern walls and spread as shimmering terraces across rock-strewn floors.
As you move along the spectacular walkways that allow easy access, let the stunning beauty and grandeur of the caves sink.
During your tour, watch out for a whole range of formations with unique and unusual names, including 'The Porridge Pot', 'Grand Canyon' and 'Moses Walk'.
Ancient origins
On your visit, the ancient origins of the caves many millennia ago will be explained. They were carved and sculpted out of limestone formed from the debris under a warm tropical ocean that covered Fermanagh 330 million years ago.
Be fascinated as you hear how the underground caverns were formed by rain water seeping through the soil and percolating down through cracks and joints in the limestone. Three rivers flowing off the sandstone slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain now sink into these enlarged cracks in the limestone and help to form the large underground network of passages that criss-cross the mountain.
Keep in mind also that you are following in a long tradition of underworld exploration on this site. In 1895 French speleologist, Eduoard Martel and a naturalist called Lister Jameson first explored Marble Arch caves. They used a small collapsible canvas boat along with paddles, and candles and magnesium flares for lighting then!
In the 1970s, Fermanagh District Council began to explore the possibility of opening Marble Arch as a showcave, and it opened to the public in May 1985.
The Marble Arch Caves offers a unique and fascinating trip into the spectacular world of caves, in a safe and environmentally sustainable setting. Its special ecological and geological value as a limestone-rich cave network was recognised in 2001 when it became a member of the European Geopark Network.
| Attraction | Marble Arch Caves |
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| Location | Marlbank, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh, BT92 1EW |
| Opening Times | (Late Mar-Jun): 10.00am-4.30pm* (Jul-Aug): 10.00am-5.00pm* (Sep): 10.00am-4.30pm* * Starting time of last tour |
| Facilities | Souvenir Shop Restaurant Exhibition area Audiovisual theatre Car Parking |
| Admission | Adult: £8.00 Sen. Citizen: £5.25 Student: £5.25 Youth: £5.00 (under 18) Family: £18.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children) Children under 5 go free Group Rate: Adult Group (10 or more): £7.50 each / Child Group (10 or more): £4.50 each Sen. Citizen/Student (10 or more): £4.75 each. |
| Additional Info | Advance bookings are accepted from large groups, families and individuals and are recommended at peak times. The caves may close for safety reasons following heavy rain so it is advisable that you telephone in advance before setting out during bad weather. |
| Contact Details | Tel: 0044 (0) 28 6634 8855 Fax: 0044 (0) 28 6634 8928 Email: mac@fermanagh.gov.uk Web: www.fermanagh.gov.uk |
| Directions | 12 miles south west of Enniskillen |
For county profiles, suggested drives and great holiday ideas, click here
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the county in general, please contact:
Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism
Fermanagh Tourist Information Centre
Wellington Road
Enniskillen
BT74 7EF
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 6632 3110
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 6632 5511
Email: info@fermanaghlakelands.com
Web: www.findfermanagh.com
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