Beyond Our Door
About the Cliffs
If you don’t know your Hags Head from your O’Brien’s Tower, here’s an intro guide to Co.Clare’s Cliffs of Moher. I’m lucky enough to live beside the Cliffs of Moher with our farm on the Cliffs themselves.
I can confirm that even the most fantastic photos of the Cliffs don’t do it justice. There are just no words to describe the feeling and sense of energy you get as you approach the Cliffs and see for the first time the breath and length of the Cliffs stretched out in front of you. The colour is always different, the light is always changing and the size and magic of the wonder of nature will leave you in awe.
The Cliffs rise to 702 feet (214 m) at their highest point and range for 8 kms (5 miles) over the Atlantic ocean so fair to say with the sheer scale there is a lot of Cliff to see. So If you don’t know your Hags Head from your O’Brien’s Tower, here’s an intro guide to Co.Clare’s Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited Natural Attraction.
A little history of Moher Cottage
The best ways to see the Cliffs of Moher
You’ll find the Cliffs of Moher, in the village of Liscannor in County Clare, on the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s West Coast.
There are more than one way to visit the Cliffs that some may not realise.
Park at the visitor centre, if in the peak summer season I would suggest you arrive very early or late for sunset to avoid the crowds. In and around sunset at the Cliffs of Moher tends to be quiet but if you are lucky the light can be amazing. The Visitor Centre now ask that you book parking online in advance on cliffsofmoher.ie.
See the Cliffs from the sea – get a Cliffs of Moher boat tour from Doolin Pier with Doolin Ferries. Tours run a few times a day and can be booked in advance online.
Getting Here
How to get there
The Cliffs of Moher are easily accessed by road from Galway (1.5 hours), Ennis (40 minutes), Limerick (1.5 hours) and from the ferry which sails from Tarbert in Kerry to Killimer in Clare (45 minutes) Dublin is approximately 4 hours via Limerick.
The closest airport is Shannon International Airport, located 1 hour away. Shannon Airport has direct connections from USA and mainland Europe serving the West Coast of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.
See www.shannonairport.ie for all flight information.
Latitude: 52.9714578, Longitude: -9.4247540
Some Interesting Facts
Did You Know...?
How Old are the Cliffs of Moher?
The rocks that makeup Clare’s famous cliffs were formed 319 million years ago during the Upper Carboniferous period.
Where the cliffs get their name?
The Cliffs of Moher get their name from an old fort called ‘Mothar’ or ‘Moher’ that used to stand on Hag’s Head. The fort was demolished in the early 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars.
When and where can I see Puffins at the Cliffs of Moher?
Puffins arrive at the Cliffs at the end of March and stay till mid July. The best months to see them are May and June. The viewing area to the left (South Platform) is the very best spot to view Puffins as they nest on Goat Island which can be seen from here. They nest in burrows on grassy slopes, just like rabbits.
What other birds can I see?
The Cliffs are a special protected area (SPA) for seabirds with over 20 species represented. The Cliffs have over 30,000 breeding pairs annually including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, peregrine falcons aswell as the ever popular cute puffins. The Cliffs are also home to many rare flora including Cat’s Eat and Sea Pink.
Was Harry Potter Filmed at the Cliffs of Moher?
Yes. A scene from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was filmed at the cliffs. The scene where Dumbledore and Harry travelled to a cave to locate one of Voldemorts Horcruxes was shot in one of the caves at the Cliffs of Moher.
Beyond Our Door
When to is the best time to visit
June-August is peak season for the Cliffs of Moher. Accommodation is plentiful in the county but can both book up in advance during these months, so be sure to make your reservations as early as possible if you are planning on traveling during this time.
Remember though, the Cliffs are open year-round, and Spring and Autumn are often considered the best times to visit. The weather can be lovely, and there are fewer crowds at the visitor centre. And in winter when the days are short the sunsets at the Cliffs can be amazing.
Visitor Centre Opening Hours
Like most tourist attractions in Ireland, the opening hours for the Cliffs of Moher changes depending on the season:
- January: 09:00 – 17:00
- February: 09:00 – 17:00
- March: 08:00 – 19:00
- April: 08:00 – 19.00
- May to August: 08:00 – 21:00
- September: 08:00 – 19:00
- October: 08:00 – 19:00
- November: 09:00 – 17:00
- December: 09:00 – 17:00
My most important recommendation of all.
You will see so many people taking photos of the Cliffs but get out on the walk and find a safe spot with a view without the crowds, and just take a moment to just enjoy the setting, soaking up the sounds from the birds and roar from the wind. The energy is like nothing else.
Explore restaurants, cafés, and pubs throughout our area
Places To Eat
Your first port of call as you figure out your next steps is to pop into us in Moher Cottage for a coffee and some of our own handmade fudge and to get the local tips for the area.
Explore restaurants, cafés, and pubs throughout our area
Where to stay
For accommodation options near the Cliffs of Moher,
There is so much to see and do locally, you will for sure never be bored.
Things to Do When Visiting the Cliffs
Moher Cottage
Your first stop is pop into Moher Cottage for a coffee with a view over Liscannor Bay before or after your Cliffs visit and ask us for all the local tips, we love sharing all our favourite places and local insider favourites
Visit the Cliffs and the Aran Islands
Only a couple of minutes away from us in Moher Cottage are the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited natural landmark and some time spent at the visitor centre is a must do while in the area.
Explore the Local Villages
There’s so much to discover in the villages around the Cliffs! Liscannor is an our village just minutes from Moher Cottage, with lovely local history and home to Clahane — a renowned spot for swimming and coastal walking. Lahinch is your classic seaside town — surf and sandy beaches, what more could you want! Doolin is always a favourite for live traditional music, cosy pubs and the ferry across to the Aran Islands or around the Cliffs by boat. And don’t miss Ennistymon — a beautiful market town with a river, colourful shopfronts and a brilliant creative scene.
Explore restaurants, cafés, and pubs throughout our area
Go for a sea swim, surf or sea kayaking
The sandy beaches in Lahinch, Fanore or Spanish Point or the rocky shore line of Clahane are all now so popular for sea swimming. Lahinch is famous for all kinds of watersport activities; with many surfing schools there to provide lessons and the necessary equipment. An indoor swimming pool is located on the Lahinch strand promenade with a high end gym open to visitors.
Explore the Burren
The Burren is internationally famous because of its beautiful limestone landscapes and the remarkable flora as well as its rich archaeological heritage. It is the finest example of a karstic terrain in Ireland, with a full assemblage of the curious landforms and subterranean drainage systems that characterise these limestone terrains. The area also hosts 70 wedge-tombs (the most famous of them being Poulnabrone Dolmen), ring forts, caves (most notable Aillwee & Doolin Cave), castles (Leamenagh Castle) and a network of field walls and hut circles.
The Burren centre in Kilfenora provides an insight into the mysteries of the region and should be your first stop on your trip.
For experiences, things to do and guided walking tours are available everywhere in the Burren.
Drive the Wild Atlantic Way in Clare
Using this north Clare as your base is perfect to travel the length of the coast of Clare, from Galway Bay to the spectacular Loop Head Peninsula and we recommend a visit and walk on the Kilkee Cliffs and to the Loop Head Penisula.
While there stop off in Kilbaha Gallery after a walk around the lighthouse and the Bridges of Ross.
Play a game of golf in the famous Lahinch Golf Course
If you are a golfer this location has much to offer. Less than 10 min. away from us are the famous Links course at Lahinch and the 18 hole Castle course which is less challenging but highly regarded among golfers. Doonbeg Golf Resort is within 30 mins driving distance, Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club is about 45 mins. away. The famous courses of Ballybunion and Tralee are within 2 hours driving distance using the car ferry across the Shannon.
We are a perfect base to have that golf trip of a lifetime. Stop by for a coffee before you watch the Ryder Cup in Adare in 2027.
What to Bring
Gear for all weather. The Cliffs of Moher is in the west of Ireland so possible to get four seasons in one day so check the weather forecast before you head off and pack accordingly The raincoat is always useful around these parts.
Water, pack a refillable water bottle and forgo the bottled water (it’s better for the environment), especially if you’re planning to hike.
Hiking boots or trainers. You’ll need some comfortable shoes fit for walking on the Cliff path especially if raining.
But most important of all your camera, you won’t forget the Cliffs experience but will be fabulous to have captured