Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Doolin Cave...

Chris and I had an extra day in Doolin, due to the high winds causing the sea to be uncooperative with the ferries, delaying our trip to the Aran Islands by 24 hours. So, we decided to take in the newest tourist attraction.

Doolin Cave was discovered in the 50's by two English cavers following a stream they discovered going into the base of a cliff. They entered, crawling on their hands, knees and eventually, stomachs, through the narrow pathway the stream provided. Since then, the cave has been purchased and had millions of dollars put into it's renovation for public access. It opened in 2006. In fear of breaking the stalactite, the renovations forbid the use of dynamite in the creation of the more accessible tunnels, so instead used air pressure blasting to break the rocks away. Here is what remains of the evidence. The pressure guns were inserted into the rocks, splintering and crumbling the rock around it.
The Great Stalactite in Doolin Cave is over 10 tons in weight, 23 feet in length and is made of limestone. It is definitely a sight to behold and as is the theme of this trip, the pictures don't even come close to doing it justice.
A shot from below to capture it's folds and complexity
A little perspective (that's Chris walking down the stairs)
The reflection from the pool below
The Great Stalactite drips limestone laced water and over time has formed this directly below it. Eventually...many, many millions of years from now, assuming the stalactite doesn't break off in the mean time...the two will grow into each other, becoming one grand limestone pillar.
Limestone icicles that took a few hundred years to form. Chris and I broke a couple off and ate them like Popsicles...
They tasted funny.

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