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Aillwee Cave

Visitors to this 2-million-year-old cave will see more than the amazing illuminated tunnels and waterfalls, for there is also much of interest to food lovers.

Cheese-making demonstrations show how the local Burren Gold cheese is made and, even if the process is in a quiet phase at the time of a visit, there is still plenty to see - and buy, thanks to a well-stocked food shop; free tastings of the cheeses and home-made fudge are available here, and other goodies to take home, including home-made preserves.

Just inside the entrance to the cave there is a souvenir shop with a good book section (including travel and cookery books of Irish interest), and a café serving inexpensive, wholesome fare - typically baked potatoes with Burren Gold cheese.

Fast food (coffee, panini etc) is also available - and there is now a garden centre as well as a mountain trail "guaranteed to work up an appetite".

*The Liscannor Rock Shop is a sister enterprise.

Children welcome. Café Seats 60. Wheelchair access (to building only, not the cave). Meals all day Mon-Sun (10-6.30). Closed mornings in Dec; Christmas. Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

4.5 km (3 miles) south of Ballyvaughan.