Ireland is a beautiful country with so much to offer in terms of history and scenery. Among the most widely visited attractions in this part of the world are the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Located in the Burren region of County Clare, the cliffs reach a maximum height of 702 ft and are an excellent destination if you’re looking for one day tours around Ireland.
These amazing cliffs have been around for over 390 million years! That significant detail alone should be enough motivation to make you want to see them. But if you’re the type that’s not easily impressed, here are a few more reasons you should consider updating your bucket list.
1. Beautiful landscapes
The cliffs stretch over eight miles (12.8 km) offering beautiful landscapes which are perfect for photography. But the beauty is not just in the panoramic views; the sounds of the crashing waves splashing against the cliffs coupled with the sound of the gusting coastal winds combine with the amazing scenery to make it a worthwhile experience. The cliff’s guided day tours can help you take in all this exceptional beauty.
2. Location for films
If you are a movie buff, you would be happy to learn that many films have used the area as a choice location. These include for some of the most iconic films such as “Leap Year”, “The Princess Bride”, and Ryan’s Daughter. A couple of music videos have also been shot in the location. The fact that these films and music videos chose the location is a testament to the cliff’s iconic beauty.
3. O’ Brien’s Tower
The tower was built by a descendant of the first High King of Ireland Cornelius O’Brien in 1835. Apart from its historical significance, the tower provides a vantage point for viewing the Aran Islands, Aill Na Searrach, Galway Bay and Hags Head. Interestingly, Cornelius specifically built the tower for this purpose. He knew that encouraging tourism would help boost the local economy and hopefully help lift the people out of poverty.
4. Interactive exhibitions
After enjoying the breathtaking sights and sounds the cliffs have to offer, you can visit its exhibition. The amazing center provides both an exciting and educational experience for all its visitors. Its artifact displays, art galleries, and documentary films are all designed to help you understand the cliffs’ mystery, and enjoy its rich history. You will also get to enjoy the Clare Journey, an amazing ten-minute aerial tour that is viewed via a central screen. You will also find a kid’s area where your children can play while at the same time learning about Cliff wildlife.
5. Birders Bliss
If you’re a bird watcher, there’s more than enough for your eyes to feast on. The majestic cliffs are home to one of the biggest colony of seabirds in Ireland. There are a wide variety of nesting birds and seabirds to see over the 200 acres of designated land.
The 1986 EU birds directive designated the area as a Special Protection Area for birds. The area was also designated as a refuge for fauna two years later. You will see different species of birds depending on when you choose to visit. Puffins appear from April to July while the Guillemots and Razorbills are present around September.
6. Excellent facilities
If you wish to take a break from all the sight-seeing, the area is packed with excellent facilities including picnic tables and eat and drink joints such as Cliffs View Cafe and Puffins Nest Coffee Shop. There are also toilets for ladies and gents at the Visitor Center, an ATM Machine, a tourist information desk to help answer any of your queries or to assist you with your travel bookings and a wide selection of shops including Moher Music Shop, Gifts of Moher and Nua Local knitwear.
With these and many other attractions, this tourist destination is arguably among the best not only in Ireland but in the world. It received an award in 2007 with the judges stating that the entire visitor center was among the best facilities they had ever come across. Its no wonder that UNESCO voted the Cliffs as the seven most wonderful heritage site in the world. It is definitely the ideal destination for any tourist.
