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Cave

Man-made underground passage

What is recorded here

Alice and Gwendoline Cave is a limestone chamber beneath Edenvale House in County Clare where a bear bone marked by human hands may be the oldest proof people ever lived in Ireland. Scholars dug it in 1902 after the Stacpoole daughters helped carry soil from passages still named for them. The cave keeps Viking rings, amber beads and disturbed layers of animal bones, suggesting it was never empty but a changing place where people returned across centuries.
Situated in the W perimeter of a rath (CL033-051----) at the N edge of a plateau. The N end of an undifferentiated passage (Wth 1.4m; L 2.8m; H 1.05m) has four lintels, and an air-vent. Another Man-made underground passage (CL033-051003-) is nearby to the E towards the centre of the rath. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 May 2016

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

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