Where Murderous Vikings Reaked Havok

Caves steeped in history...

Ireland is a beautiful country full of vast varying landscapes, but we tend to forget what's underneath us. We have so many caves ready for exploration, each one with its own unique story.

Dunmore caves in Co. Kilkenny is a fantastic cave to visit, full of history and tales from Ireland medieval past. It's not the biggest cave in Ireland; it only has a quarter of a mile of passages and its deepest point is 150 meters. The chambers of the cave formed over millions of years, but more recently it was home to a Viking massacre which was recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters which was a chronicle of Medieval Irish history. The killings happened in 928 A.D.

Vikings killed a thousand locals that sought refuge in the cave from the Vikings pillaging. Many skeletal remains were found of men, women, and children at the site.

But treasures have been found here too; coins that may have belonged to those very Vikings who wreaked havoc. And also a hoard only spotted in 1999, glinting in a guide's torchlight – that suggests the cave later became a hiding-place for Viking valuables including silver ingots and buttons.

"Godfrey Uí Ímair, with the foreigners of Ath Cliath, demolished and plundered Dearc Fearna, where one thousand persons were killed in this year as is stated."

The show caves are located close to the N78 Kilkenny–Castlecomer road and about 11 km (6.8 m) north of Kilkenny City. The entrance is in the townland of Mohill, where you will find a tourist centre for the caves.

Dunmore caves were designated as a national monument in 1944 but were not opened to visitors until 1967. It closed for three years in the year 2000 for archaeological work. It's considered to be one of the darkest places to visit. You cannot explore the cave alone and must visit as part of a tour that you can book directly.

Price: Adult: €5.00, Group/Senior: €4.00, Child/Student: €3.00, Family: €13.00

Opening Hours: 9.30 am - 5 pm

Official Website: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/dunmorecave/

Email: dunmorecaves@opw.ie

Phone Number: +353 (56) 776 7726

Google Map Location: Dunmore Caves