146 The hisli Naturalist, August, 



SOME NOTES ON A BI.ACKWATER CAVERN. 



BV H. J. MOLONEY, B.A. ; E. C RONAYNE, B.A. ; R. W. EVANS, 

 LL.B., and JAMES COMYN; B-L- 



The picturesque escarpment of Gortmore, overlooking the 

 Blackwater between Mallow and Kanturk, contains several 

 orifices on its face. The largest are at the western extremity 

 of the cliffs, which extend for a quarter of a mile, with beds 

 dipping south at steep angles. Several of these openings 

 have been penetrated by local people, but contain nothing of 

 note. 



Mr. F. W. Claire, of Lissa, Doneraile, having related to one 

 of the writers of these notes his experience in a cavern which 

 he reached after penetrating through one of the narrow clefts 

 near the extremit}- of the escarpment, and in which he found 

 stalactites 10 feet long, a party was organized to explore the 

 caves on the 14th June last. This party subsequent!}^ pene- 

 trated a cavern which contained stalactites which for luxuriance 

 in growth, and delicacy and eccentricity of form, are unequalled 

 in Ireland. It also possesses features which present a nice 

 problem for the expert in subterranean hydrology. 



Having ascended a short talus just beyond a quarry (which 

 is worked for lime by Mr. Fitzgerald, the owner of the farm), 

 the party came to a small fissure, into which the}' wriggled for 

 a few yards, where a stalagmite slope rose in the centre of the 

 passage. On the eastern side there was less than 8 inches 

 between the roof and floor, and on the western side there was 

 only 9^ inches at the widest part, which was beside the rock 

 wall. The distance gradually lessened to the top of the slope. 

 Mr. Ronayne, with a determined effort, succeeded in wriggling 

 through, and on his signalling a high gallery beyond, the re- 

 mainder of the party followed suit. A drop of eight feet landed 

 the party in a lofty main-joint fissure running north and soutli. 

 This is about fifty yards long, and with an average height of 

 15 feet. It contains a large number of the ordinary yellow 

 stalactites. Taking a sharp turn immediately after negotiating 

 the 8 feet drop, a small tunnel will be perceived on the eastern 

 wall of the fissure, also at a height of about 8 feet. This leads 

 to the galleries which contain the most remarkable features 

 of the cave. 



