What an amazing first day in Omah! I have recently moved from my first host family, and on to the next. Today I had the privilege of seeing inside of Northern Ireland’s longest known cave System, the Marble Arch GeoPark.
A short forest walk brings you to the entrance of a deep cave, nestled in between two overhanging hills. The cave mouth is very small and spews frosted air, cave water, and the absolute sense of diving into a time before man.
It was great fun exploring the cave, the first cave I’ve ever been in that requires a boat to ferry you, underground, into the main chamber. The boat glides through the murky water, water so still and black that you can imagine some sightless, fantastical creature of the dark swims fathoms deep unseen beneath you. We were assured, however, that the deepest point of the pool was only 7 meters deep.
Upon arrival at the opposite shore, the Marble Arch cave system stretches nearly a mile amongst narrow, albeit very sturdy trails built by the Geo Team. Carefully placed lights highlight the cave’s most striking features, among them an underwater stream, “Cave Curtains” and a Stalactite (fondly named “Martel’s”) that is over 6 feet in length.
This is a truly striking example of the natural treasures to be found in Northern Ireland, and it really is a must-see!