A guided walk deep beneath Fermanagh into one of the finest show-cave systems in Ireland — floodlit chambers of stalactites, mirror-still pools, and, when the water's right, a boat glide along an underground river. All within the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.
What you'll see — chamber after chamber of stalactites and stalagmites, lit walkways beside black underground pools that double the roof like a mirror, and a short boat trip on the underground river when levels allow.
How long — a guided tour of roughly an hour to 75 minutes underground, plus the visitor centre, café and shop up top; allow about two hours overall.
Cost — around £12.50 an adult, roughly £8 a child, about £39 a family; under-4s free but still need a ticket. Confirm the current rate when you book.
Guided & pre-booked only. Tours run at set times and popular slots fill up — book online ahead, and arrive 30 minutes early to register.
Check the morning you travel. The cave sits on live underground rivers, so after heavy rain the water rises and tours can be shortened or closed at short notice.
What to bring — it's a steady 9–10°C down there year-round, so bring a fleece or coat even on a warm day, and sturdy flat shoes with grip for the damp, uneven paths.
Steps, not step-free. There are around 154 steps and uneven wet floors — brilliant from about age 5 up, but not suitable for wheelchairs or prams (bring a baby carrier for little ones).
Café & parking — café, shop and picnic areas at the visitor centre, with free on-site parking and EV charging.
Plan your visit
Book ahead, and check the morning you travel
Every tour is fully guided and runs at set times through the day, so booking a slot online in advance is strongly advised — peak days and holidays do fill up. Tickets are around £12.50 an adult, roughly £8 a child and about £39 for a family (confirm the current rate when you book); under-4s go free but still need a ticket. Aim to arrive and register at the visitor centre at least half an hour before your start time. It's a steady 9–10°C down there year-round, so bring a fleece or coat even on a warm day.
Café & shopAccessible toilets & baby-changingPicnic areasSteps · no prams or wheelchairs in the cave
Check before you travel after heavy rain:
The cave sits on live underground rivers, and after heavy rainfall the water rises and tours can be shortened or closed at short notice. If you're driving a distance, phone ahead or check the "Today's Tour" note on the website the morning you go. Book your slot in advance, bring a warm layer, and note there are about 154 steps — the cave is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🧥A fleece or coatIt's a steady 9–10°C in the cave whatever the weather up top, so bring a warm layer.
👟Sturdy, flat shoes with gripThe paths can be damp underfoot and there are steps — leave the sandals and heels at home.
👶A baby carrier, not a pramPrams and pushchairs can't go into the cave; a front or back carrier is fine for little ones.
📱Your phone for the morningHandy for a quick check of the day's tour status after heavy rain before you set off.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Around £12.50 an adult, roughly £8 a child and about £39 for a family; under-4s free but still need a ticket. A government-backed summer discount has applied on some 2026 dates — confirm the current price when you book.
Season & hours
Generally open spring to autumn, with guided tours running daily. Last tours are around 5pm in high summer, earlier in spring, autumn and October. Times shift through the season, so check the day's schedule before you travel.
Booking
All tours are guided and run at set times. Book online in advance, especially on weekends, holidays and in peak summer. Arrive and register at least 30 minutes before your slot.
The tour
Around 1–1.5km underground, taking roughly an hour to 75 minutes, past stalactites, stalagmites, still pools, tunnels and the underground river. The fuller Martel Tour includes a short boat trip when water levels allow.
The boat trip
A short glide on the underground river is part of the tour when conditions permit — it depends on water levels, so it isn't guaranteed on the day. When water is too low or too high the walking route runs instead.
Ages
Best for around age 5 and up who can manage the steps and steady walk; all ages welcome with that in mind. Under-16s must be with a responsible adult.
Food
Café and shop at the visitor centre, plus picnic areas outside.
Accessibility
The show cave has around 154 steps and is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. The visitor centre has a lift, accessible toilets and baby-changing, and a wheelchair-accessible VR experience of the cave.
Dogs
Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed.
Parking
Free on-site parking, with EV charging points.
How long
Allow about two hours for the tour plus the centre and café.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book ahead?
It's strongly advised. Every tour is guided and runs at a set time, and popular slots fill up on weekends, holidays and in peak summer. Book online in advance and arrive at least 30 minutes early to register.
Is there really a boat trip?
Yes — a short glide on the underground river is part of the fuller tour when water levels allow. It depends on conditions on the day, so it isn't guaranteed; when the water's too high or too low the walking route runs instead.
Can heavy rain close the cave?
It can. The cave sits on live underground rivers, so after heavy rainfall the water rises and tours can be shortened or called off at short notice. If you're travelling a distance, phone ahead or check the website the morning you go.
How cold is it down there?
A steady 9–10°C all year, whatever the weather on the surface. Normal clothes plus a fleece or coat are perfect, and sturdy flat shoes with grip for the damp paths and steps.
Is it suitable for prams or wheelchairs?
Honestly, no — the cave has around 154 steps and isn't accessible for prams or wheelchairs. Bring a baby carrier for little ones. The visitor centre itself is accessible, with a lift, accessible toilets and a wheelchair-friendly VR experience of the cave.
What ages is it good for?
Roughly age 5 and up who can manage the steps and a steady walk get the most from it, though all ages are welcome with that in mind. Under-16s need a grown-up with them.
Getting there
43 Marlbank Road, Florencecourt, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT92 1EW — in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, a short drive south-west of Florencecourt, with free parking on site.
The Marble Arch Caves were cut by three streams sinking off the slopes of Cuilcagh mountain, joining underground and working the limestone over what geologists reckon is tens of thousands of years to hollow out chambers, tunnels and the river passages the tour follows today. The formations you pass grow drip by drip, a few inches a century by most estimates, which is why nobody's allowed to touch them.
The system was first explored properly by the Yorkshire Ramblers' Club in 1935, and the show cave opened to visitors in 1985. Today it sits at the heart of the Cuilcagh Lakelands, a UNESCO Global Geopark spanning the border country of Fermanagh and Cavan — one of the few places you can walk, safely and comfortably, right into the middle of how the ground beneath us was made.