Day 8, Part 1: The Cliffs of Moher

One day I’m almost swept off my feet by John Wayne in the village of Cong–or Innisfree–the next by a gust of wind off the Wild Atlantic Way. That’s Ireland for you.

Cong for Tricial

Cliffs of Moher Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction.

Cliffs Comprehensive

Unfortunately one of those visitors is lost over the side every week, we were told. Sometimes it is due to wind or crumbling rock underfoot. I kept a serious distance between me and the edges I encountered.

Sometimes, sadly, it appears  to be due to despondency. Signs liberally posted by the Samaritans give a telephone number to call and receive counseling.

Ranging five miles along the coast, at its highest point the Cliffs stand 702 feet high. Geologists believe that long ago, when the area was much warmer (we could have used some of that), a large river flowed toward the Cliffs, bringing mud and sand with it, eventually forming the rock layers we see today. The Cliffs can appear both welcoming and tranquil and as a force to be reckoned with. Cliffs of Moher 2Cliffs Crashing WavesThe best view can be seen from the top of O’Brien’s Tower, built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien as an observation point for visitors. The picture below featuring the tower from a distance gives a perspective on just how impressive the area is.

Cliffs with O'Brien's Castle Color

Cliffs flute player

I was also impressed by a local Irish flute player, whose sweet music filled the air, delighting passersby.

The Visitor Center features an exhibition about local flora and fauna and includes an IMAX-style movie. I wandered upstairs and did a bit of genealogical research on the interactive screen next to the restaurant, but opted not to eat lunch. I had quite a dinner in store for me.

We were on our way to Bunratty Castle, just an hour away. There we planned to tour the Castle and the Folk Park on the premises, followed by an authentic medieval feast.

 

Author: Tricia Pimental

Brooklyn-born Tricia Pimental moved to Portugal in 2012, where she found rural life so idyllic she wrote a piece for the Living the Dream section of International Living Magazine. Today she serves as their Portugal Correspondent. The former actress and Toastmaster has written three award-winning books: Rabbit Trail: How a Former Playboy Bunny Found Her Way, Slippery Slopes, and A Movable Marriage. Other writing credits include two travel books for International Living: The Old-World Charms of Portugal and Escape to Portugal, and a 15-part video series entitled Portugal 101. Tricia has discovered one of the best parts about living in Europe is the ability to sample the culture (especially all that food and beverage) of many countries via road trips. She and her husband Keith—and their intrepid Maltese, Carson—have traveled through Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Denmark, and more, as well as Ireland, Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Baltic States. After renting in various regions of the country, Tricia and Keith now own a quinta in central Portugal. She blogs at www.triciapimental.com.

4 thoughts on “Day 8, Part 1: The Cliffs of Moher”

  2. one death a week?? that can’t be true can it? and nothing done to prevent it? so NOT the US! 🙂 xo

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    1. Yes, yes, no, and yes. People are warned that the far edges of the cliffs can give way, and that it can be gusty. (If someone wants to end it all, of course there is no preventing that.)

      When we were in Chichén Itzá years ago we asked our guide about the perilous steps: narrow (you could barely fit the length of your foot on them), the dizzying height of the monument, no hand railings. We asked about casualties and he said they lost a visitor a year. We then asked if there was litigation and he looked at us like we were crazy.

      So, visitor beware!

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