Visiting the Cliffs of Moher

According to Celtic lore, the 700ft tall Cliffs of Moher along the western coast of Ireland’s County Clare are home to mermaids, corpse-eating eels, hags, witches and the gold-domed city of Kilstaffen—a city that allegedly sunk under the waters of the Atlantic and is known to resurface once every seven years.

When I visited the cliffs, however, I did not see the sunken city peak out amidst the churning waves below. Nor did I see leprechauns, faeries or mythical creatures. Yet it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine them lurking in the crevices of the cliffs or inhabiting some of the abandoned stone houses that litter the Irish countryside.

 

THE ICONIC CLIFFS OF MOHER IN IRELAND

The Cliffs of Moher are, without a doubt, Ireland’s most famous natural landmark. Throughout centuries, they have inspired legends and become an enduring symbol of the Emerald Isle. Though they are not the tallest cliffs in the country (that record belongs to the cliffs of Slieve League in Donegal), they are certainly the most renowned.

In recent years, the Cliffs of Moher have been depicted in literary and cinematic works. They were famously featured in the film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, as well as in the The Princess Bride, Leap Year and in Eoin Colfer’s novel The Wish List. 

Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher plummet 200 meters into the sea. They are a dramatic sight to behold—one that inspires awe in nearly all who visit.

 

CLIFFS OF MOHER DAY TRIP FROM LIMERICK

I traveled to the cliffs of Moher on a short work layover, as a day trip from Limerick. To say I was tired upon landing in Ireland would have been an understatement. After working a flight from New York to Sao Paulo the previous morning, and then turning around and working a flight to Shannon, all I wanted to do was curl into bed and fall into a deep sleep.

Yet, as with many of my other layovers, my time in Limerick was limited. In order to make the most of my short stay, I would have to pry my eyelids open and trust that the rewards of visiting one of Ireland’s most beautiful places would ultimately be worth the lack of sleep.

So alongside the rest of my crew, I rented a car and set out toward the Irish countryside.

 

• VISITING THE CLIFFS

Limerick is a gateway to the cliffs and a popular launching point for day trips around Ireland’s County Clare. It lies within a stone’s throw of the Shannon Airport, in close proximity to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

From our hotel in the center of town, our day trip to the Cliffs of Moher consisted of just under two hours of driving each way.

We spent about an hour at the cliffs–walking along the precarious path at the edge of the precipice, climbing the steps to the top of O’Brien’s Tower and taking photos of the incredible views that surrounded us in every direction.

I wish that the photos I took could convey the proper dimensions of the Cliffs of Moher. But perhaps the tiny tower perched atop the cliffs (or the tiny people dotting the path along the edge of the rock face) can at least give a sense of just how tall the precipice really is.

Had I been on my own or had more energy, I would have spent quite a bit longer walking along the edge of the site– snapping pictures, hiking along the gentle rolling pastures and taking in the scenery from every angle. The clear blue skies offered stunning views in all directions.

To the West, we could look out over the Atlantic Ocean to the Aran Islands. To the east, rolling fields of grass stretched out as far as the eye could see.

 

• CLIFFS OF MOHER FEES AND LOGISTICS

As Ireland’s top tourist attraction, the Cliffs of Moher can get crowded in peak summer months. For an optimal visiting experience, consider arriving early in the morning, on weekdays, or during off season. I traveled to the cliffs outside of peak season and found myself able to enjoy their grandeur without having to shove my way through busloads of tourists.

Though walking along the edge of the cliffs is free of charge, admission tickets to the Cliffs of Moher includes parking and entry to the Cliff Exhibition. Adult tickets cost €6.00.

 

• THE BURREN

On our way back to Limerick, we took a detour through the lunar landscape of the Burren National Park. The word “Burren” originates from the Irish word “Boíreann,” or “rocky place”—an appropriate name considering the layer of rock that covers nearly every inch of the area’s soil.

The Burren is a unique karst landscape that spreads over 250 square miles. Its extensive and barren fissure-covered rocks host a surprising array of flora. Everything from wildflowers to grasses to herbs have found a way of flourishing on the fertile yet unforgiving landscape.

Though our day trip to the Cliffs of Moher included a brief stop at the Burren, we did not have time to adequately explore the area.

As such, I look forward to incorporating the national park into a future Ireland itinerary.

 

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Visiting the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on a short 24 hour layover was not ideal. I was tired and jet-lagged and would have loved to incorporate the sites into a longer and more relaxed tour of western Ireland. However, I couldn’t imagine passing up my opportunity to visit the iconic landscapes of County Clare while I had the chance.

The Cliffs of Moher are perhaps Ireland’s most renowned natural attraction.

I was not about to let my heavy eye-lids or a lack of sleep deter me from seeing them.