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The Cliffs of Moher in Doolin, Ireland, is the Emerald Isle’s most visited natural attraction.
Stretching 5 miles along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland, this stunning natural feature calls visitors from all corners of the globe.
O’Brien’s Tower is located near the highest point of the Cliffs and has served as a popular viewing point for visitors for centuries.
Good weather can either make or break your day at the Cliffs, so hope that the luck of the Irish is on your side the day you visit!
On a clear day you can see other natural features such as the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara.
The rocky cliffs, formed 319 million years ago, tower above the Atlantic at an impressive 700 feet (214 m)!
Most visitors pay a small admission fee and simply view the Cliffs on their own. Some add on a visit to O’Brien’s Tower, and others go for the ‘360 Experience’, including a guided cliff walk and a cruise at the base of the Cliffs. We just wanted to explore the Cliffs at our leisure, so we could stop and take tons of pictures along the way!
We felt so fortunate to experience Ireland with family, including my stepsister (a flight attendant) who had a long layover in Shannon and was able to join us for the day!
The weather couldn’t have been better for our visit to the Cliffs. The salty sea breeze rustled our hair as the bright sun kept us warm, and the fog… well, it was pretty much nonexistent.
We’ve heard stories of people visiting the Cliffs when the fog was so thick they could barely see 5 feet in front of their face!
For us, the skies were so clear… and the views, unbelievable!
It’s simply hard to fathom the grandeur of the Cliffs until you’re standing near the edge (but not too close!) and looking 700 feet down to the waves crashing at the rocky base below.
The area surrounding the Cliffs is a peaceful corner of County Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way. Be sure to book an evening in a nearby town to make the most out of your day and to enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music in one of the many local pubs.
We stayed at Rathbaun Hotel in Lisdoonvarna located just 8.5 miles (14 km) from the Cliffs and was treated to some amazing live music! You can read about our stay here.
If you visit the Cliffs in the summertime like we did, be prepared for crowds, especially on a gorgeous day! Tourists are brought in by the busloads, but even then it didn’t ruin the experience we had. The farther away you are from the Visitor Center and O’Brien’s Tower, the more solitude you will experience. And whether crowded or not, you should definitely make the Cliffs of Moher a stop on your next visit to Ireland!
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Topics Include: Getting to Ireland | Getting Around Ireland (Rental Cars & Public Transportation-Train, Taxi, Bus, Motor Coach Tours) | Top 10 Scenic Drives in Ireland | Awe-Inspiring Abbeys | 4 Traditional Irish Pubs to Check Out | 5 Charming Small Towns Not to Miss | Ireland’s 6 National Parks | Interesting Facts About Ireland | Irish Dishes to Try | Islands of Ireland | Exploring Ireland’s Fascinating History | Top 5 Highlights in Ireland’s Most Visit Counties* | Frequently Asked Questions About Travel to Ireland | Money Saving Tips | 4 Detailed Sample Itineraries | Additional Resources | Photo Guide to County Highlights
*Counties Included: Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford, & Wicklow