Hill, Brodrick, and Ruli. — The Mitchelstown Cares. 245 



estimates the length of the cave, as then known, at a quarter of a mile. The 

 cave was handed over by Lord Kingsborough to Gorman, the tenant of 

 the land ; and it evidently attracted a large number of visitors, as the writer 

 warns the public against employing anyone but an official guide. He suggests 

 that the entrance be enclosed, so as to prevent spoliation. 



This suggestion was adopted, as we read in the account of the cave by 

 Dr. Apjohn, of Dublin, to be referred to later : — " The mouth of the adit is 

 covered by an iron grating placed over it by a man of the name of Gorman, 

 the occupier of the farm, and kept in its place by a hasp and padlock, with a 

 view of preventing the descent of any but those who, by payment of a small 

 fee, acquire the right of visiting his subterranean wonders."^ 



The fullest account of the early explorations is that of Dr. J. Apjohn 

 of Dublin, just referred to above, communicated to the Dublin Geological 

 Society in 1834.^ This paper is accompanied by an excellent plan, which 

 indicates that the author made a very careful survey of all the portions of the 

 cave known at that time. Measurements were made of the chambers, 

 passages, and stalactites ; and the chief geological features were noted. 

 The "Lower Middle Cave," now called the House of Commons, and the 

 passages leading from it are fully described. The author penetrated to the 

 end of the Kingston Gallery and returned by the Sand Cave. He observed 

 the openings known as the " Closets," but did not examine them. He also 

 visited the Garrett Cave, and states that the ceiling in one part would 

 appear to have fallen recently. In the plan the commencement of the 

 branch leading from the House of Commons to The River is included. 



Passing on to the " Upper Middle Cave " or House of Lords, Apjohn 

 describes the chamber and its stalactites with the two exits, one to the east 

 and the other to the south. He followed the former passage for a distance of 

 110 feet, and was then stopped by a mass of rock beyond which he failed to 

 find a way. He mentions, however, the River passage, and marks it on the 

 plan as " unexplored River." 



The southern exit from the House of Lords led to the Four Courts ; 

 and Apjohn surveyed a considerable portion of this part of the cave ; but he 

 makes no mention of O'Leary's Cave, and there is no indication of its existence 

 recorded on the plan. 



From the time of Dr. Apjohn's exploration in 1833 up to the publication 

 by M. Martel of the results of his visit in 1895, there appears to be no record 

 of actual exploring work in the New Cave. The only papers published 



^ The indications of this grating are still visible on the rock just within the present door. 

 •Journal of the Geological Society of Dublin, i. (1833-8), pp. 103-111. [Reprint] Dublin 

 Fenny Journal, iii., No. 130. Dec. 27, 1834. 



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