ESCR - Outlying Sites in Fermanagh & Tyrone; Kiltierney Deer Park

Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Outlying Sites in Fermanagh & Tyrone; Kiltierney Deer Park	Fermanagh

Site number:	1165
ESCC:	IC
Locality Type:	Karst	Status:	local interest
Grid Reference:	H221625 Centroid
Google maps:	54.51088,-7.65878
County:	Fermanagh	Council area:	Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
Period:	Quaternary, Carboniferous
Stages:	Chadian, Holocene
Lithostrat:	Ballyshannon Limestone Formation

Site Description
Highlights:
This isolated karst drainage system is developed in the Ballyshannon Limestone and contains the only accessible cave in this limestone in Northern Ireland.
Introduction:
Kiltierney Deer Park is next to Parkhill Lough, 4km north of Irvinestown in County Fermanagh. Within the park is a small lowland karst drainage system developed in the Ballyshannon Limestone. The Deer Park is an important archaeological site and there are a number of scheduled sites within the area. History of Exploration: The karst features in the Deer Park may well have contributed to the importance of this site to the local population from as early as 3000 years B.C. Cavers from the Irish Caving Club visited the site in 1977 and made a simple survey of Fiddler's Cave (Gilliland, Irish Speleology, vol. 2.5). Minor speleological sites: Fiddler's Cave (H221 625).
Description:
This karst drainage system is developed in the heavily faulted Ballyshannon Limestone at approximately 100m amsl. The bedding in the area dips to the south-southwest. The stream from Parkhill Lough normally sinks in a debris filled pool but in high water conditions the pool overflows and water flows northwest down what is normally a dry valley. There is a spring (Holy Well) some 30m down stream from the main sink on the north bank of the dry valley which resinks, presumably to join the main flow. The water resurges in an L shaped karst window approximately 300m southwest of the sink from two or three risings (depending on water levels). The stream flows across the bottom of the depression for 10m and sinks again into Fiddler's Cave. This cave is approximately 40m long and ends in a sump. It is developed initially on a fissure while at the sump chamber, bedding plane control dominates. The entrance to the cave and the entrance passage is 1m by 1m and the main chamber is ~6m wide and 1m high. There is no speleothem development and the floor of the chamber consists of mud and gravel. The final resurgence for the stream from an impenetrable pool is 500M to the south.
Importance:
This area of karst has been greatly affected by the modifications to the area for agricultural purposes however many of the karst features remain intact and represent an isolated lowland karst drainage unit in the Ballyshannon Limestone.
Interpretation:
The stream flowing from Parkhill Lough has, in the past, taken a surface course allowing the development of distinct valleys from the lough to the resurgence area. The present subsurface drainage is relatively immature and the surface streams between the sink and the karst window are active in high water. The risings in the karst window may also be fed by water from small sinks to the north in the area named Cuilbraddagh. There is evidence from flood debris that the karst window ponds to a height of 2.5m. There is also flood debris in the roof of the cave indicating that it fills completely to the roof.
Conclusions:
CONCLUSION The karst unit has been greatly modified and is affected by the present framing practice. The site, however, is the only known example of an accessible cave in the Ballyshannon Limestone.
Notes:
For site specific information see; Key Site 431 - Fiddler's Cave. For information and reference lists on the systems and features of other outlying karst areas in Fermanagh and Tyrone see; Key Site 1163 - Garrison Key Site 1164 - Fardrum Key Site 1166 - Knockninny & Molly Mountain Key Site 1167 - Lough Lee-Binnawooda area Key Site 1168 - Slieve Beagh area. BIOLOGICAL INTEREST There is no biospeleological interest in the Fiddler's Cave.

Keywords
Rocks:	Limestone
Structures:	bedding, fault, joints
Geomorph:	cave, clastic sediments, dry valley, sinkhole, sump
NonGeol:	Important archaeological site.

Access
Approach:	4km north of Irvinestown.
Planning:	HISTORY OF EXPLORATION The karst features in the Deer Park may well have contributed to the importance of this site to the local population from as early as 3000 years B.C. Cavers from the Irish Caving Club visited the site in 1977 and made a simple survey of Fiddler,s Cave (Gilliland, Irish Speleology, vol. 2.5).
Management:
The whole of the Kiltierney Deer Park has been severely modified for agricultural purposes and there is an active limestone quarry in the north of the Park. At some time in the past the entrance to the cave has been built up with head stones, presumably to stabilize it. There is heavy pollution of the water by stock which use the sink pool, karst window and spring for watering. It may be possible to extend Fiddler's cave for a short distance, but little potential exists for further significant cave passage discovery. The hydrology of the area appears simple but the drainage lines should be proved by dye trace.
Uses
Uses:	Recreation

References (28)
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Map(s):	One area has been outlined on OSNI 1:10,000 sheet 154; KT 1. Kiltierney Deer Park.
Record type:	ESCR report
Entered by:	E M Porter

Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Outlying Sites in Fermanagh & Tyrone; Kiltierney Deer Park, County Fermanagh, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=1165. Accessed on 2026-11-08.