Cliffs of Moher - best time of day to visit
 

My father is traveling to Ireland in early April. What time is best to see the Cliffs (sunrise, sunset)? Is there a website that will tell me the times for sunrise and sunset? With that said, sunset seems more doable as he will be driving from Dromoland. When I visited we were there late morning and during a storm, but still the view was wonderful. Thanks for your help.

I saw the Cliffs late afternoon to sunset and they were magnificent at that time. (probaby magnificent at all times).
The sun sets pretty late in Ireland. In June it was around 10 pm. If you do a search on Google you will probably find a site to tell you the exact times.

I found a listing for sunset in Dublin at 8:25pm for mid-April. Does anyone know if it would be about the same at the Cliffs?

Go at sunset when the tour buses, large crowds, and knick knack vendors have packed up and moved on for the day. If you time it right you won't have to pay any entrance fee at the parking lot and it will be relatively empty. With luck, there will be no haze or overcast sky above. The only drawback is if you wanted to hike along the the southern edge, which goes on for quite a while and can take hours to walk along. Just the walk up to the modern day "castle" is a hike, though, and will take a little bit of time. Be sure to look over to the northern side, as it too is quite impressive. Lastly, be sure to go there with an empty bladder, as the Mna and Fir rooms will be closed late in the day.

Sunset, as others have said, is really the best time if the weather is good. It tends to be very windy there more often than not so be prepared. No reason to aim for exactly sunset. Any time after 6PM would probably be fine. He can enjoy the walk along the cliffs if the weather works out. The other plus is that the guy taking money to park there has already left for a pub, so it's free.

Bill

POlson,

Go to http://www.wunderground.com/global/s...3.html#History

and enter date in History & Almanac section. (Historical dates will give weather as well as sunset).

That is for Valentia, which is probably near enough for Moher. Note that Civil Twilight is the time at which it gets 'dark'.

Michael

Michael - thanks that was cool, it indicated sunset at 8:36p.

In light of the other advice I've received I'll suggest they go after 6:00, walk around a bit and hang our until sunset for a great experience and maybe a few wonderful photograph opportunities (all assuming good weather), then to Doolin for dinner and a Guiniess. It will be their last night on the trip and a Saturday, so hopefully they will be up for a late night to hear some music too.

The best time to see the Cliffs is when they are not enveloped in fog--no matter what time of day!! Twice when I was there you couldn't see a thing! So feel lucky if you get clear skies!!

Have a look at www.shannonregiontourism.com
and click on 'Clare'
As regards the Cliffs at the moment there are major construction works in progress there and will be until 2007. Facilities are not up to the usual standard but when the work is finished it will be a state of the art facility.
The sun rises in April at 7 a.m. and sets 8.15 p.m.