The Cliff of moher They are one of the tourist wonders of Ireland and yes, they are magical. The abrupt cut of the earth in its encounter with the sea and with the skies is incredible. Do you know them in person? Not? Then they can become a very good destination, even in winter if the cold and wind don't scare you away.
Ireland It is not far away so if you like the idea here we leave you information about the cliffs and how to do the tourist visit without missing the best of them. To travel reading!
The Cliffs of Moher
They are in the well-known region of the Burren, in county clare, Republic of Ireland. They have been formed around 300 million years ago and are mostly limestone, although the oldest rocks of all are located at the base.
Between the cracks in the rocks live more than 30 thousand birds, something like 20 different species, and at their feet, in the sea, there are dolphins, sharks and sea lions. They travel about 14 kilometers and at the highest point they reach Meters 214, in the O'Brien Tower. At the other end they are 120 meters high, at a point known as Hag's Head.
From the top of the O'Brien Tower you can see the Aran Islands, the Twelve Pines mountain ranges or Galway Bay, and for its magnificence and its beautiful views it is that more than a million tourists visit them per year. Be one of them!
The cliffs are part of the Geopark from the Burren and Cliffs of Moher and are an important point on one of the most popular and beautiful tourist roads Ireland has to offer, the Wild Atlantic Way.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher
The cliffs were always very visited by people, but in the 90s the government began to take it more seriously and organize visits. For this reason, and with a concept of natural tourism, without human structures that interfere between the world and our experience, a modern Visitors Center inside one side of the hill, before reaching the same cliffs.
The works took 17 years and the doors were opened in February 2007. It is best to visit this place before going out to explore the cliffs because it has a interesting display of the geology of the place, flora, fauna and history. There are huge multimedia screens, bird's-eye views of the shoreline and videos of the caves that you will never visit because they are underwater, at the base of the caves.
Getting to this site is easy from all the cities and towns that are around. From Galway, Kinvara, Limerick, Doolin, Ennistymon, Ennis or Lisdoonvarna you can take a bus on the Bus Éireann state line. There are several services per day and if not there are always private buses. Many people stay in Doolin, for its easy access to the cliffs, it is a ten minute drive, but also for its ancient Irish culture and unforgettable landscapes.
When should you visit the Cliffs of Moher? Well, they are one of the best attractions in Ireland so in the most pleasant stations there are many people. That is why I said that if the cold or the wind does not scare you, you can even encourage yourself to visit them in winter.
Tours from Dublin or Galway, two big cities, (Dublin is three hours away and Galway is 90 minutes away), arrive between 11 am and 4 pm so that time period is noticeably complicated. If you go on your own, it is better to go early in the morning or late at night. Sunset is great!
Few tourists travel the entire length of the cliffs and they tend to stay around the center, that is, near the O'Brien Tower and near the part of the wall. If you do not go as part of a tour, you have more time so you can walk more, which is ideal because you are left more alone. In addition, you can sign up for ferry rides by its base or at Coastal Trail 12 kilometers above the cliffs.
The Coastal Trail begins in Doolin and reaches Hag's Head providing the best scenery: cliffs, skies, waterfalls, bushes everywhere, no cars. You can do it on your own or sign up for one with a guide. In this regard there is a local farmer named Pat Sweeney who organizes walks every morning at 10 am. They are three-hour hikes and very interesting.
I remind you that there is nowhere to sleep on the cliffs themselves and that the closest town is Doolin where the accommodation offer is varied although it is concentrated more than anything in Bed & Breakfast. Obviously, there are some luxury hotels with unforgettable views.
If you go in winter you have to bundle up but the reality is that since it is the coast you always have to bring a coat because the weather changes very fast here. Occasional showers are also common and obvious, wear comfortable shoes that do not slip. If you stay near the Visitor Center you can enjoy its cafeteria and its bathrooms but if you walk on your own, try to have what you need with you.
There is a wooden fence that separates the public area from the private farms but you can bypass it and follow the route, although I warn you that the road is no longer so well preserved. And lastly, did you know that there are people who get married here? Well, in Doolin, in a nice, cute house with a view of the sea, but afterwards the couples walk up to the cliffs and take pictures as fantastic as the ones above.