The Cliffs of Moher Tour, Ireland

Cliffs of Moher Tour

Updated On: November 08, 2023 by   Ciaran ConnollyCiaran Connolly

Ireland is full of undeniable natural beauty that is breathtaking, and one that always comes to mind is The Cliffs of Moher. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland then a visit to The Cliffs of Moher is one of those unforgettable experiences. You’ll be in awe of your surroundings and history related to this attraction and the area. It one of the most visited tourist attractions in Ireland and we will tell you why.

The Cliffs of Moher tour in Ireland is all about nature; it is where you reach a point with an inspiring view of the pure nature world. Where the cliffs are facing the ocean and where you will experience the salty wind and enjoy walking on ancient rocks.

The Cliffs of Moher Tour, Ireland

Where in Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher?

This iconic attraction is located in the beautiful County of Clare, that offers you so much to see and do. Over one million people come to County Clare each year to experience the impressive Cliffs of Moher.

The cliffs stretch eight kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean and its unique shape makes it one of the most photographed sites in Ireland on the Wild Atlantic West. On a clear day, you can see out to Aran Island and Galway Bay you could just spend hours taking in the views.

You can follow the coastal route around the cliffs that run 18 kilometres starting from Hag’s Head to Doolin. On the coastal walk, you will pass the visitor centre and the historic O’Brien’s Tower. The walk offers you the chance to get the best viewing opportunities and really enjoy the experience. It would take you around two hours to complete it but it is truly worth it for the spectacular views on display.

What city is closest to the Cliffs of Moher?

The nearest city to the Cliffs of Moher is located on the West Coast of Ireland, a village called Liscannor in County Clare. Shannon International Airport is also the closest airport to the attraction around 50 minutes away.

It is worth spending some time in Liscannor village, its a beautiful place that really comes alive during the summer months. It’s also a great place to stay as it offers a variety of accommodations with plenty of attractions from the pubs to the restaurants and the shops.

How were the Cliffs of Moher Formed?

It is believed that the Cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago when Ireland’s ancient riverbeds created seabeds that formed the rocks of the cliffs. All those years ago the area of the Cliffs of Moher was a lot warmer and located on a much bigger river. Then loads of rainfall caused huge floods that cleared the sand and mud into the rivers and out to the sea. Over time the sand, silt and mud became compacted forming a solid rock that is now ‘Cliffs of Moher‘.

The Cliffs run for about 14 kilometres and rises to 120 metres (390ft) above the Atlantic Ocean on the southern side and at the north side the cliffs reach a maximum height of 214 metres (702ft).

Cliffs of Moher - County Clare, Ireland
Cliffs of Moher – County Clare, Ireland

Cornelius O’Brien and The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs have long been a treasured part of Irish landscape but not much is known about the man who helps create interest in the area. Cornelius O’ Brien was a local landlord who was the first person to discover the cliffs and thought they would make a great tourist attraction in County Clare.

He built the O’Brien Tower at the highest part of the cliffs as a viewing point for visitors to the area during the 19th century. Along with the tower he built a wall along the cliffs that were made of Liscannor Flagstone to make the cliffs safe and accessible. He also created stables and picnic tables for the uses of visitors, who we would also invite to his home in Birchfield. He helped to bring the area to life where people could come and appreciate one of Ireland natural sites.

O'Briens Tower, County Clare
O’Briens Tower, County Clare

The Visitor’s Centre at the Cliffs of Moher

After O’Brien’s death in 1857 the site began to really pick up interest and with an increase in visitors, they restored the O’Brien Tower into a visitors access in 1974. Again popularity continued to grow from 100,000 in 1978 to 250,000 in 1988 at the Cliffs of Moher. The first visitor centre was no longer able to hold huge amounts of people, so a further redevelopment took place in 2007. This is when the official ‘Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre’ was opened by the Clare County Council.

The new state of the art centre offers visitors the opportunity to explore and learn more about the incredible cliffs. The cost to enter the visitors’ centre is £8 pounds for adults and children under the ages of 16 are free to enter. In 2016 an impressive 1.427 million people took a trip to the visitor’s centre and to see the Cliffs. With the constant increase of visitors during peak hours of 11am to 4pm, people who wish to enjoy the attraction are advised to come at other times.

Cliffs of Moher in Popular Culture

The beautiful attractions found in County Clare Ireland has also made its appearance in many films and media. One of the most famous movies that have filmed here was the popular Harry Potter Films. In Harry Potter and The Half Blooded Prince,  Harry Potter appears standing on a rock moving towards a sea cave. With the used of modern technology, it was made to appear like they were at the Cliffs of Moher.

Other features included the Leap year (2010) as well as being mentioned in the Martin Scorses Film “Bringing Out the Dead”. You’ll have to go back and watch these films to see the beauty of the Cliffs – Might not look as stunning in the film as they do real life but they still look incredible.

Cliffs of Moher Tour Visitor Centre Opening Times

The opening hours of the place will differ according to the month but it opens all year except on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December. It opens on 9 AM all months long but closes at different times.

In January it closes at 5pm, in February it closes at 5:30pm, March it closes at 6pm and 6:30pm on weekends and bank holidays.

April it closes at 6:30pm and 7pm on weekends and bank holidays, in May it closes at 7 PM and 7:30pm on weekends and bank holidays.

In June it closes at 7:30pm and 8pm on weekends and bank holidays, July and August it closes at 9pm until the 20th of August and then starts to close at 8pm  and half an hour later on weekends and bank holidays then 7pm in September with half an hour later as well for the weekends, then 6pm for October, and finally 5pm for November and December.

Also, don’t forget to check out other related places and attractions around Ireland: The Giant’s Causeway| Bundoran: Donegal| Grianan of Aileach| The Capital of Connemara: Galway| Best Cities to Visit in Ireland|

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