Aillwee Cave
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan: Address, Phone Number, Aillwee Cave Reviews: 4/5
Aillwee Cave
Aillwee Cave
4
About
A striking collection of prehistoric underground caves.
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4.0
1,331 reviews
Excellent
544
Very good
432
Average
238
Poor
85
Terrible
32
photoop2016
County Dublin, Ireland42 contributions
Oct 2021
The caves were very interesting and worth doing, especially if the day isn't great for outdoor activities. Note if not good with heights there is one bridge which scared one of our party as could see down through it. Good experience.
We also did the double ticket with the Birds of Prey Centre. This was definitely the highlight for our group who were very impressed with the aerial displays and very knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend. You will come away with a totally different outlook on vultures (the good guys!). Great conservation education.
We also did the double ticket with the Birds of Prey Centre. This was definitely the highlight for our group who were very impressed with the aerial displays and very knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend. You will come away with a totally different outlook on vultures (the good guys!). Great conservation education.
Written 15 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Claire, wexford
6 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Had a trip to the cave yesterday..what a great experience! Staff were so friendly and our tour guide for the cave was fantastic..she gave a great tour and loads of information.. They were following all the covid guidelines so you felt as ease walking around..can be a bit slippy in places in the cave, wear sensible shoes.!! You might want to bring a top or rain jacket to wear around as you can wait outside. Fantastic views from up there too!
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
westthorns
Sligo, Ireland68 contributions
Jul 2021
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and enjoyed the tour. Tours leave every 15 minutes and small groups. you can hear the tour ahead of you at times just from the echo's in the cave.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paul F
2 contributions
Aug 2021
This could very easily be a bad review but Ailwee cave is a perfect model of how to run a tourist attraction properly! the facilities there are really well thought out and organised with a friendly and well trained staff. The tour itself is great, about half an hour long and again, really well executed. We bought the joint ticket with the bird of prey centre and, with the farm shop included, spent a little over four hours there. It was money well spent and I’d definitely recommend it.
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RealMagpie
Tramore, Ireland119 contributions
Jul 2021
We had a lovely afternoon here recently on our holidays in County Clare. What a fabulous place. The tour into the caves is brilliant and very interesting and educational and very safe in these Covid times.
Then on the way out we visited the Birds of Prey Centre and this was a real bonus of an experience. We stayed for two shows and they were excellent as we got to see some beautiful birds up close and in full flight.
Loved it!
Then on the way out we visited the Birds of Prey Centre and this was a real bonus of an experience. We stayed for two shows and they were excellent as we got to see some beautiful birds up close and in full flight.
Loved it!
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RóisÃn N
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
An-turas go deo. Thar a bheith spéisiúil agus treoraà den scoth (fear darn ainm Cian). Go haoibhinn comhrá a bheith againn as Gaelainn againn leis. Súil agam go gcuirfidh muintir na hAille Buà turas as Gaeilge ar fáil leis amach anso :-)
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
robert s
2 contributions
Aug 2021
myself and family spent amazing few hours here.we started with the guided tour of ailwee cave full of interesting facts,we followed that up with the birds of prey centre,we got to see 3 amazing birds of prey flying displays from excellent trainers and finished the day with the hawk walk we were brought up a lovely forest were got fly the harris hawks sinead and juan.Special thanks to Ava our guide on the walk she was friendly and was happy to answer any questions we had.we left with a smile on our faces on a wet day,will be back someday to taste the local cheese
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle
Dublin, Ireland3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Very well organised tour, 35 mins in length, brought our kids along (5 and 4) who enjoyed the stories and history.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Faded F
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
Great experience! Thoroughly enjoyed! We only wished it would have gone on longer! We had an 11 year old and a 10 year old with us who were apprehensive but both really loved it. Highly recommended!
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JamesMc79
Wicklow, Ireland100 contributions
Jul 2021
Extremely well run attraction. The staff and tour guide were all excellent and provided a very pleasant morning. The tour itself only take about 30 mins, but there is a nice cafe with snacks and some local produce to keep you busy.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
net86
Ireland92 contributions
How much time would you spend here and with birds of prey? We are staying in the area for 1 night with a 4 and 6 year old but also want to see the cliffs etc so trying to figure out how to fit everything in
Lizzie49Colin
Skibbereen, Ireland10 contributions
Hi the Ailwee Cave tour last around 30 to 40 min max. The birds of prey would take overall 1 hour and 15 min depending what time is the show on. So overall from the time you park and go around both places it would take you a good 2 hours if you are taking your time especially with young kids. You have plenty of time to do both in the morning and go to the cliffs in the afternoon. Do remember to book your slots online beforehand. Hope this answer has helped.
Lisa B
Dublin, Ireland486 contributions
Hello,
Are there many steep inclines in the cave and are there any steep/hilly walks to get around from the caves to the birds?
Thanks
Lizzie49Colin
Skibbereen, Ireland10 contributions
Hi there aren't any steep inclines in the cave but the path in the cave does go a bit up and down but nothing drastic. The biggest problem is height. It does get a bit low in parts which can be tricky for someone really tall but nothing too bad. There is a walking path from the cave to the birds but it is a bit steep. You can also drive from the cave to the birds no pb. There is a car park in both places. Hope this can help
Nualain
4 contributions
Hi,are the Ailwee caves buggy friendly/suitable for a toddler(22 months) to walk ? Also would the same toddler enjoy the Birds of Prey centre ?
Thank you
Jenz85
Doolin, Ireland66 contributions
I wouldnt recommend bringing a buggy, it would be very awkward. My 3yr old got frightened and stayed outside with his grandad.
Birds of Prey was a great experience, my 10yr old is afraid of birds and although she stayed for a few mns she wanted to leave after a bird flew over her a little too close. Honestly both are very safe, friendly experiences. We would come back.
HollyVI
Chicago, IL1 contribution
Is it possible to visit the cheese shop without purchasing entry to cave or birds of prey?
Ihave8kids
Point Pleasant, NJ21 contributions
Yes, you pay for the cave and birds separately in a different building. It is possible to park and visit the cheese shop with no fee. THe cheese was yummy and the staff were lovely.
samanthawadding
County Kerry, Ireland
whats the economic value of the aillwee caves to the county?
DrVC
Limerick, Ireland22 contributions
It is a popular tourist attraction on the Wild Atlantic way. It is therefore of real value to the local economy and Irish tourism in general. If you are looking for statistic Tripadvisor is not the forum where you should be asking such a question.
Do I need to book or just turn up?
Fionn246
2 contributions
Hi Lightning 7. There's no need to book. We are open every day at 10am daily with regular guided tours every 15 minutes throughout the day.
Kiwi110610
Vernon, CT353 contributions
Hello,
I am a plus size woman who would love to do this but some reviews say some of the spots inside are narrow...I don’t mind closed in spaces but I certainly don’t want to get stuck...any other larger people have done this tour??
Fernphoto
38 contributions
Should not be an issue. the path way is wide ti accomidate plus size. Unless your short there is a couple places where u may have to watch your head.
ChrisandJeff2012
Los Angeles, CA7 contributions
Hi! Is the Hawk Walk appropriate for a 5 year old accompanying two adults? Thanks!
pucfada
Ennis, Ireland70 contributions
5 is a bit young as you need to stay still, you might find their show sufficient as the birds of prey fly over the audience very near to you head and they pick one or two kids from the audience to do a landing on the hand so that could be a better option. I
