Cliffs of Moher
Why the
Cliffs of Moher
are specialThe majestic Cliffs of Moher in Ireland rise virtually straight up out of the Atlantic Ocean for a stretch of 8 kilometers (5 miles). They stand as high as a 60-story building.
Cliffs of Moher tips and insights
How to pronounce
Moher = mow'-her
Best time to come
This wonder annually attracts nearly a million tourists. To avoid crowds, come in May or September.
Weather-dependent viewing
Remember, this is the southwest corner of Ireland. Fog and rainy weather conditions could partially or totally mask what you came to enjoy.
Main visitor site
Even in the summer, you'll likely need a sweater or windbreaker. It can be chilly due to strong ocean breezes.
Visitors Center
It is situated midway along the cliff course and near the highest elevation point. Key facilities are:
- O'Brien's Tower
From the observatory in this 1835 round stone tower, you can see the unending struggle between waves and rock. The Aran Islands and Connemara Hills can be seen in the distance.
- Visitors Center complex
Offers food, shops, observation windows, and an educational Atlantic Edge exhibit.
The walkways in the visitor center area bear child-height guard walls and are not exactly close to the edge. Adventurers head north or south for unfenced cliff-side trails. But be careful. A sudden gust of ocean wind could whisk you away.
A different perspective
Small tour boats depart from the nearby Doolin village to give you an up-close, sea-level view of the Cliffs of Moher.
Bird colonies
Some 30,000 seabirds nest in the safety of the cliff faces. But by mid-summer, the photogenic puffin has migrated away.
Location in Ireland
