Things to Do in Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher rise 214 metres above the Atlantic on the west coast of County Clare. They are one of Ireland’s busiest natural sights, and for good reason. The dark rock faces, the constant surge of surf, and the sheer scale of it all stop people in their tracks. But a visit is about more than the main viewing platforms. These are the things I would actually do on a day at the cliffs, in an order that lets you beat the crowds and see the place properly.
Walk the cliff top path
The easiest walk follows the paved path north from the visitor centre towards O’Brien’s Tower, and this is the route most people take. From the tower you can continue south along the open cliff top towards Hags Head. This stretch is quieter than the main platforms near the centre and gives you views down the whole line of rock as it curves away to the horizon. The ground is uneven in places and the wind is constant, so wear proper shoes. Stay well back from the edge. The ground can crumble and the gusts can be dangerous, so keep children close and do not chase a photograph.
O’Brien’s Tower
The round stone tower near the highest point was built in 1835 as a viewing point for the Victorian tourists who came by steamer up the river Shannon and down the coast. Climbing it costs a little extra but gives you an uninterrupted panorama of the Aran Islands, the Burren and Galway Bay on a clear day. It is worth doing once, even if the queue is steady in summer. From the top the whole sweep of the coast becomes readable, and you understand why this exact spot was chosen so long ago.
Take a boat trip below the cliffs
Boats run from Doolin and Liscannor out along the base of the cliffs, and this is my favourite way to grasp their true height. From the water the cliffs tower over everything and on a calm day you can get close to the nesting seabirds that crowd the ledges. Puffins visit in the breeding season through to early autumn. Trips are weather dependent, so check the forecast and book ahead on fine days. If you go, you will never look at the clifftop in quite the same way again, and the scale stays with you for days afterwards.
Watch the seabirds
The cliffs hold one of Ireland’s largest seabird colonies, with hundreds of thousands of guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes packed onto the narrow ledges. The viewing platforms face the rock faces, and even without binoculars you can watch constant movement aiong the cliffs. A pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens transforms the visit, turning a beautiful view into a living wildlife spectacle. The best light for watching comes in the morning when the birds are active and the crowds are thin.
Pair it with Doolin
The village of Doolin, about ten minutes north, is the traditional music capital of Clare. After the cliffs, a pint, some seafood chowder and a live session are the natural ending to the day. The pub sessions start early and the musicians are often locals enjoying themselves, not performing. Liscannor, to the south, is quieter and also worth a meal, with a stony beach and a small harbour. An afternoon at the cliffs and an evening in either village is a day well spent.
When to plan your route
Most visitors arrive between mid morning and early afternoon, which is exactly when the paths are busiest. Plan the opposite way. Come for the first entry of the day in summer, or arrive late in the afternoon after the coaches have gone, and you will have the main platforms in a way few people get to see them. Treat the weather as more important than anything else, because the cliffs give far less on a day of low cloud and horizontal rain. Check the forecast, watch for a clear spell, and adjust your plans to meet it. A changeable day with fast moving clouds often delivers the best drama of all, so do not cancel just because rain is forecast.
Practical notes
The visitor centre has car parking, toilets, a café and good information, and the entrance fee covers the car park and the main pathways, which keeps things simple. Arrive early in summer, before ten, to beat the coaches, and you will have the clifftop mostly to yourself. Bring a jacket even in warm weather because the wind on the cliff top is constant. Half a day is enough for the main experience, while a full day lets you add a boat trip and the longer southern walk, and end it with music in Doolin.
