Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark

Ranging from rugged uplands lakes and forests through to gently rolling drumlins the landscapes of the geopark represent a complex earth history dating back as far as 650 million years ago.

Marble arch caves global geopark.

The marble arch caves unesco global geopark contains some of the finest landscapes in the north of ireland. The marble arch caves global geopark straddles the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland. The marble arch caves geopark is in county fermanagh in northern ireland. The geopark features various sites which demonstrate the geological and wider natural heritage of the area as well as the cultural heritage relating to 7 000 8 000 years of recorded human occupation since the last ice age.

Marble arch caves global geopark can trace its history back to 1985 when the marble arch caves were opened as a tourist attraction by fermanagh district council. The marble arch caves unesco global geopark which straddles counties fermanagh and cavan became the world s first cross border geopark in 2008. It is jointly managed by fermanagh and. Marble arch caves discover magical moments in one of europe s finest show caves.

The lower limestone slopes of cuilcagh mountain boast large cave systems including marble arch caves one of the most significant caves in britain and ireland. Established across almost 20 000 hectares of public land it is jointly managed by fermanagh and omagh district council and cavan county council. These caves were first explored in 1895 by the famous french cave scientist edouard martel who lectured in. Set in the heart of the marble arch caves unesco global geopark the marble arch caves pay homage to the fascinating secrets of a world of subterranean rivers winding passages lofty chambers and an array of delicate cave formations.

The marble arch cave tour is excellent take a short boat ride on the underground river and walk deeper into the cave admiring the stalagtites that have formed over millions of years. The marble arch caves global geopark contains some of the finest landscapes in the north of ireland. Ranging from rugged uplands lakes and forests through to gently rolling drumlins the landscapes of the geopark represent a complex earth history dating back as far as 895 million years ago. Established across nearly 20 000 hectares of public land in counties fermanagh northern ireland and cavan republic of ireland marble arch caves unesco global geopark was the first cross border geopark in the world and is dedicated to telling our planet s story through its unique natural cultural and geological heritage.

It is centred on the marble arch caves and in 2001 it became one of the first geoparks to be designated in europe.