Dunmore Cave

Dunmore Cave

Dunmore Cave is an archaeological site located in County Kilkenny, Ireland, renowned for the treasure discovered at the Dunmore Cave site. It is one of the must-visit attractions for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to Kilkenny every year.

Dunmore Cave is known as the most <0> place in Ireland, as this cave records a particularly brutal . In 928, Viking pirates attacked Kilkenny and looted the town. Local residents, in a bid to escape, sought refuge in the large karst cave near their village—Dunmore Cave—a few hours before the pirate raid. The cave has a complex terrain, with numerous small interconnected chambers. The people who took shelter gathered their valuables and hid in the cave, hoping to avoid the pirates’ plundering. However, the pirates soon discovered the secret hiding place, entered the cave, killed more than 1,000 people, and then stationed guards at the cave entrance, starving the survivors to death.

In 1940, a group of archaeologists conducted an investigation in Dunmore Cave and discovered 44 skeletons inside, including those of unborn fetuses. These archaeological findings confirmed the tragedy that once occurred in Dunmore Cave. In 1973, the Irish government designated Dunmore Cave as a National Monument, which now welcomes countless visitors each year to commemorate those who suffered the .

In the winter of 1999, a museum staff member preparing for the seasonal closure noticed a green glimmer while cleaning one of the caves. Upon retrieving the object, they found a silver bracelet inlaid with emeralds. The staff member subsequently reported the discovery, prompting authorities to dispatch a team to investigate the cave. They unearthed several thousand ancient coins, some silver and gold bars, jewelry, and hundreds of silver buttons. The artifacts initially appeared dull and tarnished, but after restoration efforts by the team, they regained their original luster. Due to its uniquely bloody historical background and archaeological significance, the Dunmore Cave Hoard ranks sixth among the world’s top ten treasures.

Dunmore Cave

Must-Visit Reason: The most <0> place in Ireland

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Ireland[Ireland]

Province/State where the attraction is located: County Kilkenny [County Kilkenny]