Long Way Down at Ailwee Cave
The Ailwee Cave is a nice little detour as we were completing our circuit of the Burren. The cave has been refined until it is safe enough to handle tourists. There were interesting places in the cave which our knowledgeable tour guide described to us. The cave was gently lit, just enough so that one will still feel that it is a cave. The guide has control over the lights and at one point they turned off the lights just to prove that there is absolutely no light in the cave. It was naturally unnerving not to be able to see right in front of you. I’m just glad the kids didn’t freak out when the lights went off.
Rock Formations at the Ailwee Cave
A cave tour will not be complete without a look at the usual bizarre rock formations here. There minerals from the ceiling would drip down with the water and slowly accumulate to form rock formations which are usually left to the imagination of the viewer. There were a few large-ish stalagmite as well as columns but the stalactites where too small. I have been to much more impressive caves here, I guess, the Ailwee Cave is a place to show kids what a cave looks like. I think there are better caves here in Ireland, maybe it is worth visiting those other places.
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