Cliffs of Moher (from above)

Failte (that means Welcome in Irish) to the second most visited Irish tourist attraction…The Cliffs of Moher. We are on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare. (Don’t you just love the way the Irish refer to the different regions. Co. Clare, Co. Cork, etc. The names just roll off one’s tongue with a sense of magic.) But I digress!

This morning we drove here from Doolin, about a 10 minute drive from The Cliffs. The roads are narrow but we have been here a few days and are quite used to them. If you are not comfortable driving here there are bus tours which originate in Galaway, or Dublin, and probably many other centers. I know there are such tours because we have met the buses on these rather narrow roads.

We pay our entrance fee of four euros per senior as we enter the large parking area. This ticket includes the Visitor Experience (a wonderful, world class interactive exhibit), access to viewpoints overlooking the cliffs, and parking. If you want to climb to the top of O’Brien’s Tower there is an extra charge which you pay at the Tower.

A wide, paved path leads us to the viewing areas. A bit of a climb it is, and I manage it well, but it does cross my mind that I am glad we are visiting sites like this while we are still young enough and healthy enough to manage climbs like this.

Looks like several others have decided to take advantage of today’s sunny weather to visit The Cliffs. A local told us that seeing The Cliffs on a misty day is more the norm (as Ireland usually gets a lot of rain on this coast).

Here we are. Quite a view, is it not. ( I rather like the Irish turn of phrases…and they stay in ones mind long after you return home!)

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it for a better view.

Now look over there to your right. That’s O’Brien’s Tower. There is an interesting story behind that tower, but you are going to have to visit The Cliffs of Moher to get the story from the locals. You could just look it up on the Internet, but it is so much better to visit Ireland and hear it told with an Irish accent.

If you continue turning to look behind you there are pastures of green, green grass and small herds of cattle who are so used to people that they completely ignore us. Within these pastures is Knockardakin…the highest point in the area. The farmer has fenced off a pathway along the edge of public property so you can walk up to this point and get an even wider view of this spectacular area. There is a free will offering box (asking one euro per person) just as you enter the top of this viewing area. It was discouraging to see that very few people put money in the box. Come on, people. One euro! The farmer did not have to make this viewpoint available to us. The farmer went to the expense of building the fence so you could safely get up here. Really!There are three viewing platforms on the public property, each with a slightly different perspective of The Cliffs. The brochure one receives with your admission ticket suggests it takes about 30 minutes to walk between the center and these viewing areas, but in reality it takes longer as one really is tempted to spend a long time admiring the views.

And you might be fortunate enough to visit when a local musician sits along the pathway to entertain you.

Also plan on spending up to an hour (or more) in the Visitor Centre. The Cliffs Exhibition area in the centre is fun for the whole family…both entertaining and educational.

For more information visit the official website www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Now, let’s see the cliffs from a different point of view. Visit Cliffs of Moher (from below).

Continue your tour of Ireland with us… 

Driving in Ireland

Driving in Dublin

Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

Blarney Castle

Waterford Crystal factory tour

Cliffs of Moher

Ireland…the Burren

Best Thing about Dublin

Self driving in rural Ireland

Travel with us to other countries…click here.

Happy travels!