Irish travel escapades are high on thrills and excitement. The wild country of Ireland has plenty to offer to travel nomads who are keen to explore its great scenic beauties, incredible coastlines, world-famous beaches, and dramatic sea cliffs — speaking of which, we are reminded of the captivating sea Cliffs of Moher.
Highlights You Can’t Miss
The Cliffs of Moher on the wild west coast of Ireland in County Clare are undoubtedly the most famous and magical ones of the island country. The place attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year to just marvel at the spectacular views that abound it from strategic vista points built upon several flights of steps.
The Cliffs drop dangerously 700 feet vertically down into the deep blue Atlantic Sea below, and stretch 14 kilometers along the coast. The tapering edges of the cliffs widen in the middle as they join together to form neat zigzags that would make you wonder aloud at nature’s beauty and fantastic creations. The best of human sculptors are no match to the raw and natural beauty of the Irish countryside.
It is a visual treat to watch the gigantic ocean waves break against the rugged cliff walls as they recede, and catch flocks of chirping birds swoop and scatter busily into the wide arms of the blue above — what a sight! People are drawn to the venue like a magnet. The Cliffs lend a sense of calm and tranquility to sit on and catch the Atlantic in action from several feet above that parallels the feeling of being almost at the edge of the earth. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of the Aran islands, Galway Bay.
The rocks (which are essentially layers of mud, silt, and sand formed into present-day sandstone, siltstone, and shale) were formed more than 300 million years ago. Constant erosion has resulted in caves and sea stacks around the cliffs. The place takes its name after an Irish fort ‘Moher’ which translates to ‘ruined’ in English. Nothing remains of the fort today but the materials were used by the British to build a signal tower at Hags Head in 1808. Later, another tower was built at the cliffs’ highest point — the O’Brien’s Tower — that offers a stunning and panoramic view of the landscape, and is officially the watch tower of the Cliffs of Moher.
They have put up barrier walls along the cliffs to prevent the untoward. You are allowed to go up to the edges though you will do well to exercise due discretion and care as you walk and soak in the aerial view. Don’t move too dangerously close to the edges and watch your footing as the pathway is bumpy and uneven. You can capture the beauty of the Cliffs from different angles, depending on the position of the sun during the day.
As the Cliffs began to scale popularity charts, many visitor facilities like toilets, refreshment corners, and gift shops began to be added over the years. Insane visitor rush necessitated better infrastructure at the place, and today we have a Visitor Center standing there.
Experience Nature Up Close
The Cliffs of Moher is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. They are a popular spot for bird-watchers. In fact, the area has special protection for breeding pairs and nesting birds. Puffins can be spotted on the grassy slopes of the cliffs between March and July. There’s more to the eyes here — from foxes to badgers and countless marine animals swimming the waters deep below — the dolphins, gray seals, whales, and basking sharks, to name a few.
You must have at least a couple of hours in hand to fully and leisurely explore the place.
A 10-minute walk from the Visitor Center is where you can catch better views as there’s better lighting, but you will need to be extremely cautious here as it is unguarded and is an unsupervised path. It comes with an official warning that says “Stay on the trail and do not wander off to the cliff edge.”
Wear appropriate footwear and check out the weather conditions before you head to the Cliffs of Moher. While a regular visitor will not dare beyond the official trail and the observatory, it is worth the while for the more adventurous ones to try the dirt trail with scary but thrilling vantage points.
Walk into the Visitor Center at the end of your hike to discover a wonderful multimedia display of history, geography, and geology of the place. The VR presentation of the life of the flora and fauna above and below the sea is unmissable at the on-site theater! Additionally, the Center has a cafe, a snack bar, and a gift shop.
What You Should Know of Timings & Tickets
Late afternoon (say after 4 pm) is a good time to head to the cliffs as it is much less crowded during this time of the day. There is sufficient light for you to still catch the majestic and picturesque views of the place. The peak hours are between 11 am and 4 pm. It’s best to visit before 11 am and after 4 pm for a more peaceful experience.
As for opening hours, it varies by month. For January, February, November and December, it is open from 9am to 5pm. And March, April, September and October, it opens early at 8am and is accessible till 7pm. For May, June, July and August, you are advised to visit between 8am and 9pm.
The admission costs cover access to the Visitor Center, secure unlimited parking, WiFi, restrooms, access to the O’Brien Tower, water refill station, phone charging and luggage storage, First Aid Room, and Meditation Room.
Admission is free for children under 12 who are accompanied by paying adults (parents/guardians). A Family Ticket includes 2 adults and 2 children under 12; a senior citizen is a person over 65 years of age. It’s best to book online to avail good rates and discounts. Tickets begin from 7 euros (per adult), and for families it is 14 euros. We recommend you to check the website for updated prices before the visit.
Address, Phone & How to Reach
The Cliffs of Moher is located near the town of Lanchih in the district of Burren, western Ireland. For queries or help, you can dial +353 65 708 6141 or write to [email protected].
You can get to the Cliffs of Moher by car or bus from Doolin. A car drive will take 10 minutes, and a bus ride will take 20. The Tralee Service is the first train that travels to the Cliffs in Killarney. There is a car park paid facility at the Cliffs.
