Ireland is full of breathtaking scenes, but perhaps the most amazing is the Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher are located in County Clare on the western coast of Ireland, approximately a 3:30 hour drive from Dublin. The cliffs extend for over 5 miles and reach a height of approximately 700 feet at their highest point.
They have been featured in numerous films, including Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, The Princess Bride and Into the West.
The drive through the country roads is a beautiful winding route. It features scenic outlooks and miles upon miles of stone fences which make the Irish country unique.
As you arrive, you will find a large car park and a across the street a visitor center which is built into the side of a hill. The visitor center features several informative displays, a gift shop as well as refreshments.
After a visit to the visitor’s center, you make your way towards the cliffs and immediately are able to see the magnificent view ahead of you. These sandstone, shale and siltstone formations were formed about 300 million years ago.
Take time to admire the formations and take plenty of photos. You will see that walking just a few feet either way, will change your entire perspective on what you see.
To your right, you will see a lonely tower standing a few meters away. This is O’Brien’s Tower. O’Brien’s Tower was built in 1835 on the location where a fort from around the 1st century BC stood. The name, Cliffs of Moher, actually comes from this fort. Mothar (Moher) means “ruined fort” in Gaelic, standing for this ruined fort. Nothing remains from this fort, but the location and its incredible views. The tower today features a gift shop and an observation deck on the upper floor.
Walking back south and past the path to the visitor’s center, you will find a trail that takes you over the main Cliffs. This trail will provide you with an excellent view of O’Brien’s Tower in the distance with the Cliffs below.
A visit to the Cliffs of Moher will take you at least 45 minutes, but is well worth the stop!
For more information, you can visit: www.cliffsofmoher.ie.
