Pol an Ionáin cave was opened to the public at the weekend to allow visitors to view what is reputedly the largest free-hanging stalactite in the world.
The cave at Doolin, Co Clare containing the 7m (23ft) long Great Stal is now open after a 16-year struggle by a north Clare couple, John and Helen Browne, to develop the cave as a tourist attraction.
Ms Browne said yesterday: "It is a wonder of nature. The cave is like an underground cathedral and the Stal resembles this great mass of huge organ pipes coming down from the ceiling. Anyone so far who has seen the Stal is stunned by the sight."
The Brownes secured planning for the project only in February of last year in the face of stiff opposition from An Taisce and the Pol an Ionáin Action Group.
In giving the go-ahead for the scheme, An Bord Pleanála stated that the Great Stal "is a significant part of Ireland's cultural heritage due to its scientific and aesthetic importance". It ruled that the proposal was in accordance with the sustainable development of the area.
Planning was first granted for the plan in 1991. However, the Brownes failed to advance the project after becoming embroiled in a High Court land dispute. By the time the dispute had been resolved, the planning permission had lapsed, forcing the Brownes to reapply in 1999.
Seven years later, a scaled-down version of the original plan is now in place with capacity for 55,000 visitors each year.
Ms Browne said: "There were lots of times when we thought we've had enough, especially the trips to the High Court. But we were in so deep we had to keep going. Our backs were to the wall and we invested all our savings, sold two self-catering homes and some land to keep the project going."
In all, Ms Browne said that €1.5 million has been spent on the project to date. She said: "It is a very good example of low-impact sustainable tourism and all the monitoring of the cave so far shows that the humidity or temperature has not been affected in any way, which we are delighted with."
Adults will have to pay €20 to view the Stal, with a €12 charge for children. Ms Browne said the admission price was due to the limited numbers that will be allowed to visit the site, as agreed in the planning permission.
