Cliffs of Moher

Ireland’s most visited attraction, The Cliffs of Moher are located on the West coast of Ireland in Co. Clare, the nearest villages are Liscannor, 6 km to the south and Doolin, 7 km to the north.   Cliffs of Moher comes from an Irish word meaning ‘ruined fort’, as back in the 1800’s there was a fort there that was destroyed during the Napoleonic wars.   The breathtaking sea cliffs run for 14 kilometers along the coast, reaching 214 metres at their maximum height.  Marking the highest point of the cliffs is, O’Briens Tower.  Local landowner Sir Cornelius O’Brien built the tower in the 19th Century as a viewing point for tourists visiting the cliffs.  On a clear day the likes of Loop Head, The Aran Islands and Connemara can be seen from the viewpoint.  To this day O’Briens tower remains as popular with visitors getting the perfect Instagram shot from the tower.    

For those with a limited amount of time to explore the Cliffs, an hour and a half is plenty of time to do a short walk across part of the cliffs, then leaving time to explore the visitor center.   For those seeking an adventure The Cliffs of Moher walking trail is 8km and takes two hours each way.  The coastal walking trail begins in Doolin and finishes at the Cliffs of Moher visitor center.  There is also the option of doing a seasonal boat tour from just outside Doolin Village, it is quite a different experience viewing the cliffs from over the edge.  The one-hour boat tour is quite spectacular, you might even spot some wildlife on the Cliffs and in the sea.   

Some of the best pictures of The Cliffs of Moher have been taken on the walk up to the O’Brien tower, pictures taken facing Hags Head.  If you are visiting in the evening, depending on the time of the year and the weather, the sun setting over the Cliffs from the O’Brien tower is a clear winner.   Along the Cliffs walking trail, there are numerous spots along the way to park up and get those perfect shots.  However, parts of the trail are not the safest for stopping due to no barriers, please do be careful.     

The views of the Cliffs of Moher are priceless, however there are still places to spend your money.  The entrance is free, but if you are driving you do need to pay for parking, this price is based on the amount of people in the vehicle.  The visitor center is free to explore. There is a restaurant on site where you can choose from a variety of foods or simply a hot drink.  On the way into the Cliffs there are also souvenir shops, mainly local suppliers, if you need a new wool jumper or Claddagh jewelry you’ll be in luck.   The cost of the boat tour at the Cliffs differs depending on the supplier, the prices range from €15 - €30, these depart from Doolin Pier.