Doolin Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pol an Ionain |
|
|---|---|
Entrance to Pol an Ionain
|
|
| Location | Doolin, Clare, Ireland |
| Length | c. 600m |
| Discovery | 1952 |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Access | Show cave |
| Translation | Ivy Cliff Cave |
| Pronunciation | [Powl on Un-awn] |
Pol an Ionain (say "Powl on Un-awn") is a cool limestone cave in Ireland. It is located near the town of Doolin in County Clare. The name comes from the Irish words Poll an Eidhneáin, which means "Ivy Cliff Cave." This cave is now open to the public and is known as Doolin Cave. It became a popular place for people to visit in the early 2000s.
The Amazing Great Stalactite
The most special thing about Doolin Cave is its huge Great Stalactite. A stalactite is like an icicle made of rock that hangs down from the cave ceiling. This one is super long! It is one of the longest free-hanging stalactites known anywhere in the world.
People have measured it in different ways. Some say it is about 7.3 meters (24 feet) long. Others say it might be a bit longer or shorter. But everyone agrees it is the longest free-hanging stalactite in all of Europe! The very longest ones in the world are found in caves in Mexico and Lebanon.
How Doolin Cave Became a Show Cave
Two explorers, J. M. Dickenson and Brian Varley, first found Pol an Ionain in 1952. Getting into the cave back then was very hard. You had to crawl a long and difficult way.
In 1990, John and Helen Browne bought the land where the cave is. They wanted to make it a "show cave." This means they wanted to make it easy for people to visit and see. This idea caused some discussion. Some people worried that building a new entrance might harm the special stalactite. They also thought it would change the cave for expert cavers.
After a lot of planning and court discussions, the cave finally opened to the public in 2006. They found a way to build the entrance without using big explosions that could damage the cave. Instead, they drilled holes and used special tools to gently break the rock. This made sure the stalactite stayed safe.
In 2010, a visitor center and a café were also opened at the site. This made it even better for people to come and explore Doolin Cave.
See also
In Spanish: Pol an Ionain para niños
