It is a privately owned local landmark and tourist destination, with a number of caverns open to the public through a guided tour.

[1] Mitchelstown Cave was first explored and mapped in 1834 by James Apjohn,[5] and subsequently visited by a large number of eminent naturalists and speleologists.

In August 1857 Alexander Henry Haliday visited with Edward Percival Wright and recorded a number of animal species present.

[6] Members of the Dublin, Cork and Limerick Naturalist Field Clubs took part in a trip to the cave in July 1894 and also reported on the fauna found within.

[2][10] Jackie English decided to make the cave more accessible to the public by putting in electricity and steps; this work was completed in 1972.