The Cliffs of Moher Review

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The Cliffs of Moher

Fodor's Review:

One of Ireland's most breathtaking natural sights, the majestic Cliffs of Moher rise vertically out of the sea in a wall that stretches over a long, 8-km (5-mi) swath and in places reaches a height of 710 feet. Stratified deposits of five different rock layers are visible in the cliff face. This was a sacred place in the Celtic era and was a favorite hunting retreat of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Numerous seabirds, including a large colony of puffins, make their homes in the shelves of rock on the cliffs. On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands and the mountains of Connemara to the north, as well as the lighthouse on Loop Head and the mountains of Kerry to the south. Built in 1835 by Cornelius O'Brien—of Bunratty Castle fame and a descendant of the Kings of Thomond—O'Brien's Tower is a defiant, broody sentinel on the cliffs' highest point, built to encourage tourism (yes, there were tourists even back then). Cornelius also erected here a wall of Liscannor flagstones (noted for their imprints of prehistoric eels). His tower is near the village of Liscannor. The grass-roofed, subterranean visitor center is built into the cliff face and is a good refuge from passing rain squalls. Its interior imitates the limestone caves of County Clare and gives access to paths leading to elevated viewing platforms, a gift shop, and tearoom. The Atlantic Edge exhibition is an optional extra, with information panels and interactive consoles for children—-the highlight is The Ledge, a vertiginous virtual reality tour of the cliffs from a bird's eye point of view.

  • Cost: Atlantic Edge, EUR 4; parking EUR 8, includes access to Visitor Centre, cliff-edge paths, and viewing platforms.
  • Open: Cliffs daily 24 hrs; visitor center Nov.-Feb., daily 9-5:30; Mar., Apr., and Oct., daily 9-6; May-Sept., daily 8:30AM-9PM. O'Brien's Tower May-Sept., daily 9:30-5:30, weather permitting
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