The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s best

Cliffs of Moher

Towering 700 feet above the Atlantic the Cliffs of Moher is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring tourist attractions in Ireland. And a tourist friendly too. If you are fit and experienced you can take a two hour cliff walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center. The trail is remote and exposed. In some places there is very little space  between the path and abyss: it could be a challenge in bad weather. You can learn more about the trail and guided tours on http://www.seaview-doolin.ie/news/. You can take a shorter and easier walk from the Visitor Center to Hags Head, two hours return, yet it is not suitable for little children, especially in bad weather. If you are not fit, traveling with a baby or simply have no time, do what I did: just walk up to O’Brien’s tower from the Visitor center and enjoy the view on your way. All your questions about the Cliffs are answered here:  http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

The view from O’Brien’s tower is magnificent, but you are getting a better sense of scale looking up rather than down. We took a boat trip from Doolin, one hour both ways, to get closer to the Cliffs and to see how high they really are.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

One of the caves was featured in Harry Potter movie:)

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Branaunmore sea stack, a nesting place to a variety of sea birds.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

If you have more than one lens it makes sense to take another camera with you on a boat trip. The scenery and lighting are changing rapidly while on a boat,  and you can miss good shots,  as I did…

Doolin is a spectacular village worth to visit. All the travel guides mention Gus O’Connor’s Pub, and it is a great and very atmospheric place well known for its traditional Irish music sessions (they say that Doolin is a capital of traditional music). If you only want to get some today’s catch fish and some chips and a quiet place to enjoy your lunch, go to Fitz’s Bar: it is as good as O’Connors, and their food is excellent!

Cliffs of Moher

I have been visiting the Cliffs of Moher more than once. There are a few pictures taken in 2004 and 2005. Not always the weather was as welcoming as this time…

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are 300 million years old, but they don’t look the same now as they did then. Coastal erosion undermines the base of the bluffs causing the upper parts of the cliff to collapse. In fact, people walking on the top of the Cliffs are risking their lives without realizing it. They can slip, they can get blown off by wind and they can go down with a collapsing piece of path, at any time. To stay safe, we have to be respectful to Nature, and never reckless or disruptive. This is the way that balances the world.

Photography tip of the day: To take pictures from a boat use a very fast shutter speed ( or “sport” setting), stand with your legs spread and your knees slightly bended.

inesemjphotographyHave a great day!

 

37 comments

  1. Such a charming place! I could imagine the place can be so packed. I got a chance to visit this place not to long ago and I was lucky that there were not many people at that time.

    1. Thank you so much Kate! I don’t think that I will have another spectacular trip around Ireland this year:) We will see though:)

  5. This is an area I would like to see – it’s a while since I’ve been to Ireland, and I never got this far. Your description makes me want to travel! Thanks for your visit and like on my blog…. 🙂

    1. Thank you for stopping by! You have done lots of travels, and have seen many amazing places. Sure you will be back to Ireland some day:)

  6. Gorgeous photos, now I have a stronger feeling that I need to go to Ireland and experience all that beauty!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and for the like! 🙂

    1. Thank you for commenting! The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful, but there are many other beautiful places in Ireland that are known only locally. Wherever I go there is a discovery:)

    1. Thank you for stopping by!:) Most of people have heard about the Cliffs, so this is just a reminder that they are still there:)

      1. I’ve been to Ireland twice and somehow ran out of time to see them both times. It’s good to hear they are still there and you haven’t moved them or loaned them out as part of a traveling exhibition. 😉

    1. Hattie – That fish is so good! Never seen a fridge. Doolin is a cute little village, very atmospheric, musical, artistic. And the air is very clear, great for photography.

  10. Your photos create in me the sensation of beeing there. And those of fried fish make me hungry. Your blog is very atractive, well written and illustrated.
    A hug from
    Lino

  13. Your travel posts are always good to read with their beautiful photos and commentary. I’ve always been fascinated by Ireland. It has hills and greens and seas – what’s not to like? 🙂

  14. A superb post with extremely splendid photographs!
    You have me scared, and I’m a long long ways from there! 😉
    Lucky birds! What have they to fear? Their view is heavenly, yes!

    1. Thank you for your too kind words!:)
      Scary? It truly is. You don’t really feel comfortable when you walk that path, and suddenly you see that some part of it is made recently, and then you wonder what happened with the older one, and then you follow with your eyes where it goes… and you see that it is just gone over the edge… yes… 🙂

    1. Aquileana – Thank you for visiting! We have unusually good weather, it is why I took a boat trip to the Cliffs. They are almost as high as Olympus 😉
      Have a great day!

  17. This post makes me want to visit. One day, I will! Thanks for your photo tips on all your posts. Very helpful!

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