Caves in north Cork are generally restricted to the limestone valley of the Blackwater where a small number of interesting caves are located.

North of Mallow, the limestone extends into a large trough, reaching as far as the Ballyhoura and Galtee Mountains.

The Mitchelstown series of caves can be found here with the 'New Mitchelstown Cave' presently being Ireland's oldest showcave. To the south east of the county, caves can be found where the limestone has been denuded by erosion of glacial deposit.

Many caves in the area have been discovered through quarrying operations. The most famous of these was discovered in 1933 in Carrigtwohill while a more recent discovery was made in the 1980's and deemed the 'New' Carrigtwohill caves.