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Fieldtrip Essentials
A Guide for the Marble Arch Caves Global
Geopark
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Contents
About this guide
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About us
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Education service
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Areas of study
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Field-trip localities
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Bibliography & references
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Useful information
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Contacting us
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About this guide
This guide has been prepared to assist further education establishments who
may be considering a geological / geomorphological fieldtrip to Counties
Fermanagh and Cavan.
This booklet is not intended to be an all encompassing fieldtrip guide, it
merely provides information on the possibilities for study in the region as well
as providing assistance with the logistical organisation of any potential
fieldtrip.
About us
Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark is one of only two Geoparks on
the island of Ireland and encompasseses 18,000 hectares of public lands in
Counties Fermanagh and Cavan.
A Geopark is an area with an outstanding geological heritage, whether that is
because it is of great scientific value, good for education, very rare or simply
because it is beautiful to look at. What makes a Geopark so special however
is that it has a real commitment to benefit the local community, by attracting
visitors to the area and creating an increased need for local services.
Cavan and Fermanagh share a common geological heritage in that they are
underlain primarily by a sequence of Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. The
dominant rock type is Carboniferous limestone meaning that extensive cave
systems and karst have developed including the Marble Arch Caves
themselves. As in most parts of Ireland, evidence from the last glaciation is
common throughout the area, and unusually more than once phase of
glaciation is recorded is some places. Such geodiversity lends itself well to
numerous possibilities for studying geology and / or geomorphology.
The Geopark has its base at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre where
Geopark management staff are situated and day-to-day operational activities
are carried out from. This is an ideal place to start any field visit as it is
strategically located in the centre of the expanded Geopark region.
For more information on UNESCO Global Geopark please visit:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earthsciences/unesco-global-geoparks/
http://www.unesco.org.uk/designation/geoparks/
Educational Services
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Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark has a wide programme of
activities for school children of all ages. Around the Visitor Centre there are
numerous activities that can be carried out as part of organised educational
activities. Please see Education and Learning Section of our website for more
detail.
At further education level we realise that many staff members prefer to
organise and lead their own groups so that is why this booklet has been
prepared. It should be noted that the Geopark has a dedicated geologist who
is on hand should you have any questions about your visit and can provide
additional information on any aspect of your trip.
The Geopark has a number of resources that can be availed of including a
collection of rock thin section photomicrographs, fossil and rock collection,
aerial photography, detailed maps (including cave maps) and a small library.
Regional Map
Areas of study
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There are various areas of study that can be covered whilst on a fieldtrip to
Counties Fermanagh and Cavan. Some of these have been listed below but
this list is by no means exhaustive.
Carboniferous Geology
The Geopark contains one of the most complete successions of
Carboniferous rocks in the north of Ireland. This makes it the ideal place to
study the various palaeoenvironments that are represented within the rock
record. Areas of study include:
 Sedimentology
 Stratigraphy
 Palaeoecology
Karst Geomorphology & Hydrology
The presence of large amounts of Carboniferous limestone at or very near the
surface, especially on the middle slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain, means that
many karst features are visible and easily accessible.
The Marble Arch Caves European Geopark has had a long association with
the limestone research group from the University of Huddersfield. This has
been exceptionally beneficial to the Geopark for a number of reasons not
least because the research carried out has provided an excellent base for
karst hydrology studies.
 Surface (exokarst) landforms
 Underground (endokarst) landforms
Glacial Geology
Due to their relatively rural locations, the Counties of Fermanagh and Cavan
are reasonably undeveloped meaning that many glacial landforms have
remained visible and have not been removed or destroyed. This area is
unusual in that it is one of the few areas of Ireland that records more than one
phase of glaciation. Areas of study include:
 Depositional landforms
 Erosional landforms
General Geology & Geomorphology
Representation from all three of the major rock groups is present in the
Geopark making it an ideal place for an introduction to geology.
The overall landscape of the Geopark is extremely diverse ranging from the
rugged uplands in the north of the area to the gently rolling lowlands in the
south. This means that general geomorphological studies can easily be
carried out.
The area has received relatively little attention from researchers not least
because of the conflict in Northern Ireland during the last century. This has
meant that there are few detailed geological maps that span the whole area.
Coupled with the rural aspect of the region and the quality of outcrop, the area
is an ideal location to carry out undergraduate mapping projects.
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Introduction to geology
Introduction to geomorphology
Geological mapping
Local Solid Geology
Fieldtrip Localities
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Several fieldtrip localities have been suggested offering a wide range of
activities and covering a wide range of geological and geomorphological
subjects. In each case a scanned map has been provided as well as a brief
list of activities and subjects that could be covered.
Lough Navar Forest
Map taken from 1:50000 OS Map Sheet 17 Lower Lough Erne
Lough Navar Forest is located in West Fermanagh and is owned and
managed by Forest Service NI.
The area is extensively forested in parts but in other areas forestry activities
have not taken place or clearfelling has occurred allowing access to outcrops.
Access is primarily along the Lough Navar Scenic Drive, a 7-mile drive
through the forest. There are several forest roads off this main thoroughfare
that can be accessed by off-road vehicles if not blocked with a locked gate or
can be used on foot at any time.
Features within the forest:
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Blackslee Dyke – Palaeogene dyke exposed at several localities
allowing for the study of igneous rocks and their relationship with
surrounding country rocks.
Disused limestone quarry – Lower Carboniferous Dartry Limestone
exposed in large disused quarry.
Tafoni weathering – Several exposed Upper Carboniferous sandstone
scarps have developed unusual weathering features.
Active slope movement – Exposures of Quaternary drift material along
the roadside have occurred due to recent slope movement.
General geomorphology – Several scenic virepoints along the Lough
Navar scenic drive allow for the study of regional geomorphology.
Features of note include glacially overdeepened lakes, drumlins, and
exposed limestone scarps.
View over Lower Lough Erne from Lough Navar Viewpoint
Legnabrocky
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Map taken from 1:50000 OS Map Sheet 26 Lough Allen
Legnabrocky is the name of a townland located within Cuilcagh Mountain
Park. There is a track that leads from the entrance of the mountain park to
approximately 1km from the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain. This can be
accessed by an off-road vehicle as long as permission is sought from Marble
Arch Caves staff.
The primary interest in this area is the karst landscape that has formed as a
result of the underlying Lower Carboniferous Dartry Limestone. There are
however a number of other interesting features that can also be investigated.
There are several features that can be examined as part of a fieldtrip in this
area:
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General observations of surface karst features such as limestone
pavement, Rundkarren, tufa deposits and various types of dolines.
Hydrological mapping of underground karst systems
Mapping and measurements of dolines
General geological mapping of the near complete mid-Carboniferous
succession
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Karren features just off the Legnabrocky Track
Carboniferous succession just off Legnabrocky Track
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Gortalughany
Map taken from 1:50000 OS Map Sheet 17 Lough Allen
Gortalughany is a series of sites located off the main Enniskillen to
Swanlinbar Road (A32) and is signposted as Gortalughany Scenic View.
The road that leads to the final parking area is narrow and has several tight
bends. It is accessible by a minibus but not by any vehicles bigger than this.
The quarries are privately owned but there is no problem with academic
groups using the area. The viewpoint is public access. The area that contains
the Legacurragh limestone ’pavement’ is owned by the Forest Service and is
managed by Fermanagh District Council so access on foot is allowed.
There are a selection of suggested sites and activities noted below. A
workbook is also available that has been compiled for use by A Level and
University geology students.
Gortalughany Quarries
Things to see: Disused limekiln, Lower Carboniferous limestone, sedimentary
structures, palaeokarst
Activities: Graphic logging, Fischer plot construction
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Gortalughany Viewpoint
Things to see: Geological and geomorphological overview, drumlin landscape,
working quarries
Legacurragh limestone ‘pavement’
Things to see: Dry valley, dolines, limestone pavement, Lower Carboniferous
palaeontology
Activities: Palaeocological analysis
Palaeokarst exposed at one of the Gortalughany quarries
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Cavan Burren Park
Map taken from 1:50000 OS Map Sheet 26 Lough Allen
The Cavan Burren is located on a minor road leading south from the small
town of Blacklion. The Cavan Burren is owned and managed by Coillte and
access is fully available.
The Burren is known locally for its archaeological significance with over 100
archaeology sites within a 250 acre area. Much of this area is heavily forested
but there are parts of this forest where excellent geology can be seen.
Main points of interest:
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Glacial erratics – there are hundreds of glacial erratics within this forest
many of which are known as pedestal rocks due to their location on top
of limestone plinths. This is the ideal area to study the distribution and
size of glacial erratic trains.
Karst hydrology – there is a relict dry valley and its associated sinkhole
in the Burren forest known as the ‘lost valley’. These are interesting
when studying the hydrological history of the area.
General karst features – areas of the forest contain fine examples of
limestone pavement.
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Pedestal rock in the Burren Forest
The Calf House Neolithic Portal Tomb in the Burren Forest
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Bibliography & References
A selection of references has been provided in the list below that may be
useful for further information on the area.
McCabe, M. & Dunlop, P. (2006). The Last Glacial Termination in Northern
Ireland. Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Belfast.
Mitchell, W.I. (Ed.) (2004). Geology of Northern Ireland: Our Natural
Foundation. Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Belfast.
Legg, I.C., Johnston, T.P., Mitchell, W.I. & Smith, R.A. (1998). The geology
of the country around Derrygonnelly and Marble Arch. Memoir for 1:50,000
Geological Sheets 44, 56 and 43 (Northern Ireland). Geological Survey of
Northern Ireland, Belfast.
Harney, S., Long, C.B. & MacDermott, C.V. (1996). Geology of Sligo Leitrim: A Geological Description of Sligo, Leitrim and adjoining parts of
Cavan, Fermanagh, Mayo and Roscommon, with accompanying Bedrock
Geology 1:100,000 Scale Map, Sheet 7, Sligo – Leitrim. Geological Survey of
Ireland, Dublin.
Dykes, A.P. & Kirk, K.J. (2006). Slope instability and mass movements in
peat deposits. In: Martini, I P, Martínez Cortizas, A and Chesworth, W (Eds.),
Peatlands: Evolution and Records of Environmental and Climatic Changes.
Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Yang, J. and Dykes, A.P. (2006). ‘The liquid limit of peat and its application
to the understanding of Irish blanket bog failures’. Landslides.
Gunn, J. (2002). The UK’s first European Geopark. Earth heritage, 18, 18-20.
Kelly, J.G., I. Enlander, A.M. Kelly & T. Fogg (2002). The geological setting,
hydrology and ecology of Roosky Turlough, Ely, Co. Fermanagh, Northern
Ireland. Cave & Karst Science, 29 (3): 105-110.
Clark, C.D. & Meehan, R.T. (2001). Subglacial bedform geomorphology of
the Irish Ice Sheet reveals major configuration changes during growth and
decay. Journal of Quaternary Science, 16 (5): 483-496.
Dykes, A.P. & Kirk, K.J. (2001). Initiation of a multiple peat slide on Cuilcagh
Mountain, Northern Ireland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 26,
395-408.
Dykes, A.P. & Kirk, K.J. (2000). Morphology and interpretation for a recent
multiple peat slide event on Cuilcagh Mountain, Northern Ireland. In
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Bromhead, E, Dixon, R and Ibsen, M-L (Eds.), Landslides in Research,
Theory and Practice (Vol. 1). Thomas Telford, London, 495-500.
Gunn, J. (2000). Karst catchment protection : The Cuilcagh Mountain Park
initiative, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. In: Barany-Kevei, I & Gunn, J.
(Eds.) Essays in the ecology and conservation of karst, Special issue of Acta
Geographica Szegedensis, XXXVI, 121-133.
Meehan R.T. (1999). Directions of ice flow during the last glaciation
in counties Meath, Westmeath and Cavan, Ireland. Irish Geography, 32(1):
26–51.
Other sources of information that you may find useful are listed below:
Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (www.bgs.ac.uk/gsni)
The GSNI can provide general geological information for all of Fermanagh;
this includes geological maps and memoirs.
The GSNI also has a large database highly detailed geophysical information,
not just for Fermanagh but for the whole of Northern Ireland, that was recently
acquired through the TELLUS project. Although this data is available free of
charge providing there is a legitimate research need.
Geological Survey of Ireland (www.gsi.ie)
The GSI can provide general geological information for all of Cavan, which
includes geological maps and memoirs.
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Useful Information
Places to stay:
Field Studies Centre, Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh
Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre, Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh
Lough Melvin Holiday Centre, Garrison, Co. Fermanagh
Sandville House Hostel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan
Coach / minibus hire:
Lakeland Tours Coaches, Co. Fermanagh
Melvin Coach Hire, Co. Fermanagh
Fays Coaches, Co. Cavan
Martins Coaches, Co. Cavan
For further information please contact Cavan Tourism and / or Fermanagh
Lakeland Tourism.
Other points:
It should be noted that distance markers and speed limits are signposted in
kilometres in the Republic of Ireland and in miles in Northern Ireland.
The Euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland whilst Sterling is the
currency in Northern Ireland.
The emergency services contact number is the same (999) in both countries.
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Contact Us
Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark
Florencecourt
Co. Fermanagh
BT92 1EW
NORTHERN IRELAND
Telephone: +44 (0) 28 66 34 8855
Fax: +44 (0) 28 6634 8928
www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com