Flash Flood Forces Evacuation at Marble Arch Caves

Visitors to the Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh were forced to evacuate on Sunday after a sudden flash flood sent water cascading through the popular tourist attraction.

Dramatic footage shared online shows water pouring down a staircase inside the cave system as a staff member helps guide people to safety. The incident followed hours of torrential rainfall that brought disruption across large parts of the island.

The Marble Arch Caves, located in Northern Ireland’s Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, are one of Ireland’s most impressive natural wonders. Formed over 330 million years ago and stretching more than 11km underground, the caves are famous for their otherworldly formations, underground rivers, and guided boat tours.

Flash flooding in the area forced the closure of the site to the public, with management confirming that no injuries were reported during the evacuation.

Meanwhile, the extreme weather caused widespread problems across Northern Ireland and the Republic. Roads near Blacks Road in west Belfast were flooded, while the M12 carriageway in Craigavon, Co Armagh, had to be closed.

In the Republic, Met Éireann recorded 60mm of rain in Dundalk, Co Louth—well above the July average. Parts of Dublin and Meath saw 50mm fall, while Casement Aerodrome reported 59mm in the 24 hours up to midday Monday.

Further west, thunderstorms erupted on Sunday evening, bringing flash flooding and treacherous driving conditions to parts of Connacht and Munster.