The Doolin Caves off Ireland’s West coast, provide an exciting voyage into the womb of the earth
The guided cave tour promised to take us 200 feet underground through the limestone caverns of the Burren region. Bags dropped, helmets strapped on, we began with a dizzying descent down what seemed like a lot of stairs (250, since you ask). Bending
Hyderabad: Underground spaces can be alluring, albeit a tad claustrophobic places to visit. I’ve had my fair share of subterranean sojourns. From the atmospheric caves in Prague to a tour of the London underground (the world’s longest and most complex transport system), not to mention the spectacular Wieliczka salt mine in Poland that showcases an entire chapel made out of salt beneath the surface, I’ve gone underground often enough!
A recent trip to Ireland brought forth yet another enthralling underworld encounter, the Great Stalactite at Doolin Cave, the largest such geological formation in the Northern Hemisphere. One of Europe’s most compelling cave attractions, the stalactite is located in Doolin, a charming seaside village in County Clare, off Ireland’s West coast.
The frisson of excitement in the bus that morning to the cave from our hotel was palpable. A 45-minute ride along the coastal landscape of the Atlantic Ocean, and a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling farmland and Burren cliffs, got us to the attraction.
The guided cave tour promised to take us 200 feet underground through the limestone caverns of the Burren region. Bags dropped, helmets strapped on, we began with a dizzying descent down what seemed like a lot of stairs (250, since you ask). Bending and twisting, and mindful of the sharp projections from the low-ceilinged cave, we progressed over treacherous terrain, one careful step at a time. Following our torch-bearing guide through the dark cavernous innards, we tried not to collide against one another due to the constricted space.
Twenty minutes (or what seemed like eternity) later, and after negotiating a network of labyrinthine tunnels, we finally got to the cave’s astonishing secret. Just then, the lights went off to our collective gasp of “Oh, no!” Apparently, switching off the light is a ploy to focus the group’s attention on the cave’s sanctum sanctorum, the stunning chandelier-like stalactite. At 23 feet and 10 tons, the stalactite is the longest and heaviest free-hanging natural structure in the world. It was formed, unbelievably, from a single drop of water that just grew and grew exponentially over half a million years, till it attained this gargantuan size.
We clicked photos with paparazzi-like fervour of the complex structure that looked akin to the beard of Davy Jones, the slithery creature from The Pirates of the Caribbean. There were plenty of other photo ops in fact, the whole deep dank amphitheater had a mystery in every nook and cranny. Be that as it may, much of the cave is so dark making photography well-nigh impossible. Even with the flash on, my Nikon often behaved like a recalcitrant child, refusing to capture its surroundings.
After a few minutes of the tour, we were whisked out as quickly as we’d got it in. Apparently, visitor time is restricted to the bare minimum to avoid damage to the cave’s ecosystem. We winded our way up the spiral staircase again, and were soon disgorged into the open. Slightly disoriented, our eyes squinting, we were nevertheless awash with relief on experiencing fresh air and daylight once again!
Notably, the Doolin Cave is managed privately and is very committed to its conservation and upkeep from the negative impacts of providing access to the public since 2006.
“Our strategy,” said its spokesperson, “is to adhere to the concept of sustainable development.” Even during the development of the Doolin cave, the growth or stability of the stalactite wasn’t tampered with. No explosives were used either. The cave passages were enlarged using a technique known as ‘plug and feather’ that whittled down unnecessary damage.
Plagued by the normal negative impacts of show caves across the world such as an inevitable rise in temperature and a decrease in humidity due to human presence, a monitoring of the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide has been established at Doolin cave. Due to this policy, no more than 55,000 people per year, or 25 per tour, are allowed access into the attraction.
As the stalactite depends on clean water to grow, care is taken to eliminate contaminants from seeping into the groundwater. Even at the facility’s car park, we spotted grease traps which precluded oil from filtering into the ground that could potentially erode the cave’s walls.
In the cave’s main chamber, cold lighting is used to prevent the formation of lampenflora, a phenomenon borne out of dust particles brought in through shoes and clothes. The spores react to UV light and high temperatures resulting in moss formation. As a part of the cave’s conservation and eco-tourism policy, even during tours, lights are always kept off in the chambers.
Not that we minded. After all, who needs light when dark can be so bewitching?
The writer is a journalist with a penchant for travel
( Source : dc )
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