The Cliffs of Moher--Ireland

Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower

One of the most well-known natural wonders in Ireland are the amazing Cliffs of Moher on the island’s western coast which tower over 700 feet above the Atlantic and stretch for over five miles.  Situated in County Clare on the southwestern edge of the Burren region, the towering cliffs were carved by time, ocean, and weather…and the erosion process continues.

On a clear day, one can see from the Aran Islands and Galway in the north to the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in the south.  O’Brien’s Tower stands near the highest point of the cliffs and has served as a viewpoint for visitors for hundreds of years.  The round stone tower stands midpoint of the cliffs with trails along the edge.

The cliffs were formed millions of years ago when heavy rainfall on land created great floods that washed sand and mud into ancient rivers and then out to sea.  The cliffs are forever changing as the sea constantly erodes the cliffs from the bottom creating caves and sea stacks.

One of the most well-known sea stacks, Branaunmore at the foot of the Cliffs of Moher and below O’Brien’s Tower, stands 220 feet high.  Further west along the coast a number of sea caves have eroded.  One was featured in the 2009 movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Several other movies have been filmed in and around the Cliffs of Moher including The Princess Bride (1987), Ryan’s Daughter (1970), and The Guns of Navarone (1961).

Cliff's of Moher

Human presence on the cliffs dates back to the first century BC when a fort called Moher stood where the modern Moher Tower now stands at its southernmost point near Hag’s Head.  Steeped in legend two thousand years ago, the cliffs have served mankind as a place of lookout, fishing, quarrying, collecting eggs and feathers…and in the last few hundred years as a tourist destination.

Lucky visitors to the cliffs are occasionally treated to traditional Irish music when various individuals and groups perform…anything from the Celtic harp to lively Irish jigs and reels.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience built into a hillside provides an in-depth look at the area, and O’Brien’s Tower lies just to the south of this visitor centre.  The tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland.

O’Brien was a local landowner and a man ahead of his time.  He believed that the development of tourism could benefit the economy and bring the Irish people out of poverty.

Most likely our visit will not take us on a walking tour along the entire Cliffs of Moher (5:12) as seen in this video, but watching it shows some of the fantastic views along its stretch.  Planning Your Visit to the Cliffs of Moher (7:10) video is excellent to give you an overview of access to the visitor centre and the cliffs near it.