Cliffs of Moher
Aillte an Mhothair
Atlantic sea cliffs stretching about 14 km along Ireland's west coast and rising up to 214 m. They are the most spectacular natural landscape in Ireland.
The Cliffs of Moher lie on the west coast of County Clare. They are formed from shale and sandstone deposited about 300 million years ago, stretch about 14 km, rise to around 214 m at their highest point and face the Atlantic directly. The visitor centre is built into the hillside and houses geology and ecology exhibits. A few minutes' walk north brings you to O'Brien's Tower, an observation tower built in 1835. Following the path south, you can see the sea stack “Branaunmore,” where seabirds gather. The cliffs have served as filming locations for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Princess Bride. Admission is charged as a visitor-centre entry fee of about €12, which is cheaper if booked online in advance, and parking is included. Official railed paths run along the cliff edge. Never cross the railings or approach the edge, and note that some paths close when winds are very strong. From Dublin, the drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. The easiest option is a day tour (usually including Galway or the Burren area), which takes about 12 hours in total. You can also stay in Galway or nearby Doolin, a village famous for traditional music, and then head out to the Aran Islands.
Opening hours
Visitor centre approx. 08:00–21:00 (summer) / 09:00–17:00 (winter)
Nearby sights
- Hag's Head
- Doonagore Castle
- Doolin
- Lahinch Beach
- Doolin Cave
- Ennistymon & the Cascades
- Lisdoonvarna
- Fanore Beach