Cliffs of Moher
Marvel at the power of the Atlantic Ocean and the sheer beauty of these cliffs stretching along the County Clare coastline
On The Edge of the World
There are some words that go hand in hand with the Cliffs of Moher. Those words range from ‘Wow!’ to ‘Amazing!’ to being rendered completely speechless. So what is it that makes the Cliffs of Moher such emotive chunks of rock? Well, it could be their 214m in height, or maybe the eight long miles they stretch along County Clare’s Atlantic Coast. Perhaps it’s the textured face of the rock that looks to have been delicately rendered by some ancient craftsman. Maybe it’s the views: the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins, Loop Head? Then again, it could be that heart-thumping, hair-ruffling, soul-soaring feeling you get as soon as that Moher air hits you. You’ll just have to go there to decide for yourself.
The Lowdown High Up
Nicely assimilated into the site via an environmentally friendly grass roof is the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. Pop in, or under, and sort out the nuts and bolts of your visit from accommodation to storing baggage – you can even have a look at a photo display of the cliffs before seeing them for real. If looking at one of Ireland’s most jaw-dropping sights makes you peckish you can grab a bite to eat in the pleasantly placed Cliffs View Café on the first floor. Admission that covers all internal and external areas of the visitors centre is €6 for adults, €4 for those with disabilities, students and senior citizens. Children under 16 go free.
On the Doorstep
Mother Nature clearly had some fun putting the Cliffs of Moher together. In fact, while she was in this part of the world she seems to have really exercised her creative muscle. You see, from the cliffs it’s just a short punt to the Gaelic-speaking, island triumvirate, The Aran Islands, the curved beauty of Galway Bay and the lunar-like loveliness of the Burren. In addition to being an area of enviable beauty, County Clare also doubles as a hub of traditional Irish music and hosts the Feakle Festival in August and the Willie Keane Traditional Music Weekend in October. Music and views – is there anything this county can’t do?
Getting here
Coming from Dublin by car, the journey to the cliffs by car will be about three and a half hours. From Limerick City, you’re looking at about an hour and a half. If you’re not on two wheels, there are plenty of tour operators to get you to the cliffs. Bus Éireann also operates daily bus services to the Cliffs of Moher and timetable information can be viewed online.
