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Discover the Ultimate School Tour Destination in Ireland: Doolin Cave

Explore a World of Learning at Doolin Cave

When it comes to school tours in Ireland, Doolin Cave offers an experience unlike any other. Located in the heart of the Burren, County Clare, this fascinating destination combines geological wonders, historical intrigue, and natural beauty, making it an ideal educational outing for second and third-level students.

Why Choose Doolin Cave for Your School Tour?

Doolin Cave – from the Irish word Pol an Ionain meaning ‘Ivy Cliff Cave’ – is a limestone cave on the western edge of the Burren. Here, your students will embark on a journey that takes them 200 feet beneath the earth to explore a hidden world created by water and time. As they navigate through intricate passages, they’ll come face-to-face with Europe’s largest stalactite, The Great Stalactite – a natural masterpiece formed by millions of years of mineral deposits.

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What educational themes can you explore?

  • Geology: An area of great geological significance within the Burren Geopark, Doolin Cave is a Geosite.
  • History: Learn about the fascinating discovery of the cave in 1952 when explorers J M Dickenson and Brian M Varley noticed a small stream that disappeared under a large, steep cliff.
  • Conservation: Hear about how Doolin Cave practices sustainable development – meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations.
  • Special Protection Area: We are members of the Burren Ecotourism Network which promotes sustainable tourism in the Burren.
  • Nature: Over ground, you’ll explore one of Europe’s most compelling landscapes – the Burren – with its wealth of fauna, rare flora and bird life.
  • Culture: Experience the rich heritage and culture of the area, including traditional farming practices.
  • Environmentalism: Study our native, indigenous shrubs and trees, planted to retain the biodiversity of the area.
  • Sociology: Doolin Cave is a family owned attraction so learn about the people who call the Burren home.
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What Will Your Students Experience?

At Doolin Cave, students will delve deep into a world of natural and cultural learning:

  1. The unique structures of the cave: As a contrasting above-ground experience, your student group can follow the Doolin Cave Eco Trail – a fascinating 1 km looped path around the cave that showcases the Burren at its best. You can use the key discovery points enroute to learn about the formation of the landscape and how the ‘karst’ pavement was moulded and sculpted over time. Your group can explore the natural wildness of the area, featuring many indigenous woodland plants, meadow wildflowers, Alpine, Arctic and Mediterranean plants as well as trees and local grasses.
  2. The natural world of the Burren: Your group will experience and get up close to the force of nature that is the Great Stalactite. Measuring 7.3 metres long and weighing around 10 tonnes, this vast structure reaches down from the roof of the Cave, catching the light, reflecting colours and detail like a massive, ornate glass chandelier. Your tour guide will also share information on the extensive show of other speleothems within the cave. These geological structures form when mineral deposits accumulate over time and are typically found in calcareous caves due to carbonate dissolution reactions. Speleothems at Doolin Cave include Stalagmites, Helicities, Columns, Pillars, Fossils and Bell Formations.
  3. The art of Doolin Cave: See how our unique character has inspired local art in the form of Doolin Cave Pottery. Resident artist Caireann Browne creates her pottery pieces from glacial clay which has been hand dug 12-ft deep within the caverns of the Cave. The clay is completely unique, discovered by geologists to contain pollen from pre-Ice Age flowers which are no longer found on Earth. A lesson in art, the pottery designs echo the drip and layering of the Cave’s stalactites.

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Plan Your Visit

Doolin Cave provides a comprehensive educational experience with the following features:

  • Up-close examination of Europe’s largest stalactite
  • Fully guided tours rich in natural history, social history, and geography
  • A unique learning environment within the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark
  • Facilities including a picnic area, café, and looped eco-trail
  • Group rates for parties of 10 or more

Book your school tour at Doolin Cave today and give your students an unforgettable educational adventure that will inspire, engage, and excite them.

Find out more & download a school tour brochure here. Special group students rates on offer. Get in touch.

By

AJ

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REVIEWS

  • “Unique Stalactite and Tour; Well Worth It! This was an unexpected highlight of our stay in Doolin. We went to the cave more out of curiosity than anything else but ended up feeling like it was one of the highlights of our stay in County Clare. The introductory panels in the visitor’s center provided us with good background information that set us up well for the tour. Our tour guide was excellent from start to finish”

    eaglelake20 – NewYork

    – June, 2022

  • “Doolin Cave, just another Cave.. No! This Cave is exceptional, It’s the first time I’ve been awe struck and really felt like an explorer. I’ve been down many caves, but this one is the only one that touched my heart and caused me to have great respect for life and our living planet. The separation between the noisy commercial rat race and the serene peaceful heartbeat of the earth is very tangible. It certainly makes me believe in the Creator of Life.. please don’t miss the opportunity, make the opportunity it’s life lasting .”

    John O’ Regan – Google Review

    – June, 2023

  • “Fabulous experience, very interesting and informative tour. The cave is terrific and well maintained. The nature walk is beautiful. The coffee shop serves lovely coffee and scrumptious cakes. All the staff in the complex were very pleasant, helpful and efficient”

    Michael Macken – Google Review

    – May, 2023

  • “A fantastic experience. The tour takes place every hour and is carried out very professionally, personably and with a lot of humor. The descent is quite easy, but you should be prepared for numerous slightly wet and slippery steps. It is also very fresh in the cave. Therefore, dress sufficiently thickly and wear sturdy shoes. But the descent and the tour itself are breathtaking and absolutely worth the effort!”

    Philip A. – Google Review

    – June, 2023

  • “Spectacular! Cian our guide did a SUPER job. This is absolutely SPECTACULAR. I hadn’t read much about the caves so when we turned the corner and saw this amazing view – the stalactite, we were awe struck. Top spot in Clare for sure. Coffee n toastie at the coffee shop was yummy and the young ladies on duty were efficient professional and very friendly GOOD JOB!”

    Rita C – Dublin

    – June, 2023

  • “Wow, what can I say.. I’ll keep it brief. This was an absolute hidden gem in the Burren, and the highlight of our stay! Seeing the stalactite in all its glory was amazing. We believe it’s the largest in Europe, and quite staggering to find it in the tiny village of Doolin. The tour guide (apologies, forgot your name) was very informative and friendly. The tour itself was brilliant, and such a unique experience that we will never forget”

    travel_bunny870

    – September, 2022

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