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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Drumarg cave system | Armagh |
| Site number: | 1275 | ||
| Locality Type: | Doline, Field, Karst | Status: | ASSI |
| Grid Reference: | H869439 | ||
| Google maps: | 54.33687,-6.66399 | ||
| County: | Armagh | Council area: | Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council |
| Period: | Carboniferous, Quaternary | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
The disused quarry and lands at Drumarg are of importance because of their geology and associated cave system. The development of the cave system here is notable given that nearly all of Northern Ireland’s cave series are found in the Carboniferous limestones of Co. Fermanagh. | |
| Introduction: | |
The Carboniferous limestone of the Armagh Group host a small but notable cave system. | |
| Description: | |
Rock dissolution has been focused along clear lines of weakness, probably main joints within the rock, resulting in the development of the cave system. The caves are probably truncated, once being more extensive. The area has been quarried historically which may have removed limestone hosting cave features while glacial and post-glacial erosion will also have had an impact. The northward extent of the caves is probably limited by the change from the Carboniferous limestone within the site to the younger Permian sandstones and conglomerates to the east, lithologies that are unlikely to support development of karst features. Three separate entrances are present and lead directly into low passages, apparently phreatic in nature. These cave units are connected by smaller lateral cave sections linking the main passages. The cave network is probably controlled by major joints within the limestone. The caves are now dry and exhibit some limited speleothem development, mainly taking the form of botryoidal calcite, known as cave cauliflower. Small units of flowstone are also present. The thickness of overlying limestone is limited. This will in turn limit the carbonate content and flow consistency of the groundwater, hence limiting the amount of speleothem development. A number of surface features are apparent within this small area of limestone and include units of limestone pavement with poor clint and gryke structure and a doline which may indicate further areas of cave passage at this site. The cave passages host a sizeable population of the Cave Spider Meta menardi. | |
| Importance: | |
The relative isolation of this cave system from those elsewhere in Northern Ireland is unusual. | |
| Interpretation: | |
A small area of limestone has undergone karstification resulting in development of a cave system and associated speleothem features and surface karst components. This is probably a residual unit of a once much larger cave network. | |
| Conclusions: | |
The majority of Northern Ireland’s caves are found in Fermanagh so the caves at Drumarg are notable, despite their relatively small size. | |
| Notes: | |
Account of the Drumarg Carboniferous geology is at record no. 275 | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Rocks: | Limestone |
| Geomorph: | Cave, Flowstone |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | Private land |
| Management: | |
Agricultural land. Rough grazing | |
| Threats: | While not an active cave system, flowstone development while limited indicates that percolating rainwater and groundwater are important. Impacts on water characteristics especially water quality. Quarrying or development of land. |
| Record type: | ASSI documentation | ||
| Entered by: | I J Enlander | ||
| Last updated: | 27 Mar 2019 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Drumarg cave system, County Armagh, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=1275. Accessed on 2026-11-06. |
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