While researching sinkholes in Ireland, I have found them to be very usual. Half of Ireland is formed of carboniferous limestone which doesn't seem to be very strong and can be dissolved in acidic water. In Irealnd, instead of being called sinkholes, they are known as dolines. Dolines are basically huge funnels in the ground that collapse under and form from heavy weight of rock or water on the surface of them. They say there around 6000 of them around Ireland. They then sink underground and form caves that can fill with water as well. The most common Dolines in Ieland are called "cover collapse dolines" which is when soil from the bottom suddenly gives out. This picture illustrates below.
These Dolines can be dangerous because if they are in the grass like the one above, it can be hard to see when approaching them. I couldn't find much on what people are doing in order to prevent these sinkholes, other than filling the small ones when they can.
http://www.gsi.ie/Newsletters/Sinkholes+in+Ireland.htm
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