A Guide to Doolin Cave
Read our travel guide on Doolin Cave in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, things to know before you go, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Without any doubt, Doolin Cave, also known as Pol an Ionain, is one of the best caves you can visit in Ireland.
It's situated in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, one of the most fascinating places on the whole island, and offers a unique underground experience.
In a nutshell, it can easily be considered one of the top attractions in County Clare, as the main cave features the largest stalactite in Europe.
It's accessible from R477, which runs along Clare's northwest coastline and is incredibly scenic.
Once you reach the entrance, a short journey of 125 steps and an easy descent will bring you 350 million years back in time.
On top of that, you will get a chance to marvel at the impressive 7-meter stalactite hanging from the ceiling like a gigantic chandelier.
Without any doubt, this is one of the hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Even though a visit to Doolin Cave is pretty straightforward, here are some essential things you should know about this place before you go.
How to Visit Doolin Cave
Our Ireland road trip itinerary was not that organized, to say the least.
On the other hand, the flexibility gave us the opportunity to make spontaneous decisions.
So when driving along the Wild Atlantic Way on the way to Burren National Park from the Cliffs of Moher, we decided to make a short detour to nearby Doolin Cave.
We weren't sure what to expect or even whether it would be worth the time.
As usual, the only way to find out was to pull in and see the place for ourselves.
We arrived about twenty minutes before the start of the tour, so we also had time to briefly explore the cafe and the souvenir shop.
If you get hungry after the tour or want to buy some hand-made pottery souvenirs made from the local glacial clay, this is a good place to stop by.
We arrived at Doolin Cave around noon on a very quiet day in the middle of the week, so there were only four people in our group, including us and the guide.
Otherwise, the maximum capacity is 20 people per group.
Doolin Cave
After a short introduction, we put our helmets on and started the descent.
Gradually, we learned about how the cave was discovered, its origin, and tons of other amazing facts about this place.
The history of its discovery is amazing, as it's quite often with similar places.
Doolin Cave was discovered in 1952 by J.M. Dickenson and Brian Varley of Craven Hill Potholing Club, who were part of a larger group of an English caving club from Yorkshire Dales.
At some point in their journey, they noticed a small stream that abruptly disappeared at the bottom of a huge limestone cliff.
However, the story of the following adventure, and their 500-meter crawl through a narrow and dark passageway, is far more intriguing, especially when told by an experienced guide and storyteller.
Thankfully, today the walk into the depths of the earth is as easy as it can be.
By the way, there are 125 steps on the way down, but there are many landing platforms and a handrail, so the cave is accessible to the majority of visitors.
Unfortunately, it's not accessible for wheelchair users (and strollers, etc.).
After we completed the exciting descent into the heart of the cave, we were ready to see the main shining star of this area.
Great Stalactite
The Great Stalactite is 7.3 meters long and dominates the main chamber.
Currently, you won't find a bigger free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere open to public access.
As the knowledgeable guide pointed out, it was formed from a single drop of water over thousands of years, which is a fact that is still hard to comprehend.
The mineral formation was initially hidden in the dark and only visible after the guide turned the light on.
The first moment of seeing the stalactite in its full glory couldn't have been more impressive.
You get a chance to see the stalactite from multiple angles, each more impressive than the last.
Obviously, there is much more to see and explore in the cave, and the guide will highlight the most interesting parts of this underground system.
Doolin Cave Farmland Nature Trail
After visiting the cave, it's worth taking a short 1-kilometer walk along the picturesque farmland.
While this walk is optional, it's definitely worth seeing the sheer contrast between the Burren landscape and the intricate underground system.
This easy and family-friendly looped trail features charming meadows full of flowers, grasses, indigenous plants and trees, and also local farm animals.
Opening Hours
Doolin Cave has seasonal opening times, so we always recommend checking out the official website first.
Generally, Doolin Cave is open from 10 AM to 6 PM in the main season (in this case, mid-May to mid-October).
The cave is open from 11 AM to 5 PM in the off-season.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Doolin Cave is €17.50 per adult. They also offer reduced family tickets.
While you could argue that this is not exactly a cheap activity, especially when traveling around Ireland on a budget, we believe it's worth the money, especially if you like caves.
You can book the tickets online via the official website or GetYourGuide.
How Much Time Do I Need
The fully guided Doolin Cave tour takes about 45-50 minutes.
The tours start on the hour, with the last tour departing 1 hour before closing time.
Doolin Cave or Aillwee Cave
Due to the nature of this entire region, it's not surprising that there is another cave just only a short drive from here.
It's called Aillwee Cave, and you will find it about 20 kilometers east of Doolin Cave, still within the Burren Region.
Deciding between Doolin Cave and Aillwee Cave was not easy, but after a quick comparison of both places, we decided to visit Doolin Cave.
Even though they both offer a similar experience, it seemed to us that Aillwee Cave is a bit better for families with kids.
Besides the cave experience, it also has a Birds of Prey Centre featuring eagles, owls, hawks, and vultures.
However, the Doolin Cave has a massive stalactite, which was ultimately the main reason why we decided to visit this place instead.
When to Go
As this is an underground experience, you can visit Doolin Cave all year round.
The temperature remains constant during the year, so it feels cool in the summer and a bit warm in winter.
Not surprisingly, Doolin Cave is one of the best places to visit on a rainy day.
However, the situation above the surface is far more dramatic, so make sure to figure out when to visit Ireland to have a better trip.
What to Pack
This is not some extreme spelunking adventure, so just make sure to bring comfortable clothes.
The cave is damp, and the terrain is uneven, so proper footwear is advisable.
Therefore, sturdy shoes with a good grip are recommended, but regular runners will do just fine.
The temperature of 11°C is constant throughout the year, so you will need an extra layer when visiting the cave during the summer.
For this tour, we wore our trusty hiking pants (jeans should be fine as well) and a rain jacket to stay warm.
It was basically the same outfit we had for Fanore Beach or Mullaghmore Loop Walk.
Here you will find our Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach Doolin Cave, but driving is the most convenient option.
We believe it's also the best option to get around Ireland, especially if you want to explore Ireland on a road trip and see places such as the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula at your own pace.
Here you will find more tips for driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Car
The easiest way to get to Doolin Car is by car.
Doolin Cave is about 70 kilometers southwest of Galway, and the trip shouldn't take less than 90 minutes.
However, there are multiple stops along the way, so the trip usually takes more than the estimated driving time.
Limerick is about 80 kilometers southeast of Doolin Cave and takes about 75 minutes to get there. The journey takes about three and a half hours from Dublin.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
There is no bus to Doolin Cave, though you can catch the 350 bus (Bus Eireann) that runs between Galway and Ennis and stops at nearby Lisdoonvarna.
From here, you would need to take a taxi to get to the entrance.
Parking
Doolin Cave has its own free private parking, so you don't need to worry about finding a parking space when you get there.
Where to Stay
Due to its proximity to the Cliffs of Moher, there are tons of accommodations near Doolin Cave, especially in villages such as Doolin, Lahinch, Lisdoonvarna, etc.
There are plenty of family-owned bed and breakfasts in the Burren area, offering stylish accommodations and a warm welcome.
They are also a perfect place to escape from the crowds and socialize with the locals.
Book early, as accommodations fill up quickly in Burren during the main season.
If you're looking for regular hotels or a bit of luxury, you will need to stay in Limerick or Galway.
Here are the best hotels near Doolin Cave.
Doolin | Hotel Doolin - Set in the heart of Doolin, this hotel offers stylish rooms, delicious breakfast, a bar with live music, free private parking, and an ideal location for exploring Burren.
Doolin | Glasha Meadows - Set in a quiet location near Doolin, this charming bed and breakfast offers modern and spacious rooms, a cozy atmosphere, a full Irish breakfast, and free private parking.
Galway | Imperial Hotel Galway - Situated in the Galway city center, this hotel features spacious and bright rooms, modern decor, a cozy lounge, an outdoor patio, and a fantastic location.
Limerick | Absolute Hotel Limerick - Boasting chic and stylish rooms, this modern hotel in Limerick's city center offers beautifully furnished rooms, a great restaurant, and free private parking.
Staying Safe
Exploring the Doolin Cave is probably safe as this activity can be.
The cave is monitored, the entrance is reinforced, they have safety certificates, and wearing a helmet is mandatory. Simply put, this was no Semuc Champey experience.
Still, you're more than 60 meters below the earth's surface, so you never know, right?
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Doolin Cave Worth Visiting?
When exploring the Burren Region, Doolin Cave is definitely a geological marvel worth seeing.
The 7-meter stalactite is absolutely incredible, and the guided tour gives you a better understanding of how the cave was formed, and you will also learn about Burren's diversity.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
