Efra-Hvolshellar

Background

History & Background

The Efra-Hvolshellar caves, known locally as Írahellar or 'Irish Caves', hold a unique place in Icelandic history. Located in the land of Efra-Hvol, just outside Hvolsvöllur, they are a significant cultural heritage site, protected since 1929. While many man-made caves in Iceland were constructed in the 19th century, the ancient naming of these particular caves strongly suggests an origin predating the Norse settlement of Iceland around 874 AD. This makes them incredibly rare and significant archaeological sites, potentially offering evidence of early Celtic or Irish inhabitants before the arrival of the Vikings. Comprised of three distinct chambers—two interconnected and one solitary—the caves were likely used for shelter or storage by early settlers. The standalone cave, estimated at 45 meters, once held the title of the second-longest man-made cave in the country. However, a collapse of a built roof opening approximately a century ago filled much of its interior with soil, limiting current access to about one-third of its original length. Despite this, the site is carefully protected, and recent work has aimed at improving accessibility while preserving its historical integrity, allowing visitors to connect with Iceland's enigmatic pre-settlement past.

Efra-Hvolshellar are a group of man-made caves on the land of Efra-Hvol near Hvolsvöllur. The caves are protected cultural heritage and have long attracted interest because of their construction and uncertain age. Interpretations linking them to pre-Norse inhabitants are not established fact, so the site is best understood as an important but still partly unexplained archaeological feature.