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Ireland’s most popular natural site

September 1, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 8 Comments

NATURAL WONDER

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

The birds circle beneath me, catching the currents of the air. Further below, at the bottom of the Cliffs of Moher, the currents of the water crash waves against the solid rocks.

These cliffs, rising 200 metres above the Atlantic Ocean on the western coast of Ireland, are filled with wildlife. More than twenty species of birds live – or stop on their migration – here.

It’s estimated there are about 30,000 pairs during the nesting period, feeding on the natural buffet the wind and the waves bring in for them. In particular, the area is known for significant numbers of guillemot, razorbill, puffin, kittiwake and fulmar.

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

Over the years, the Cliffs of Moher have also attracted tourists. It’s now one of the most popular tourist sites in Ireland with about one million visitors a year.

The pathway along the edge can take an hour or two to explore, with the view evolving as you change perspective. The cliffs appear to roll endlessly along the shore, each point a bit further away as the coastline undulates along.

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

The wind hits me in the face as I follow the path and I breathe in the cool crisp air. The sun is out today and the gusts are appreciated. The rays from above light up the ocean like glitter and the foliage on the edges glows a rich green.

For centuries, the cliffs have fascinated travellers. In 1897, French travel writer Marie-Anne de Bovet wrote, “The Cliffs of Moher surpass in savage beauty all other points of this marvellous side of Clare.”

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

Sixty years earlier, British writer Jonathan Binns put it this way: “The fearful and sublime effect produced by gazing from the edge of these perpendicular and rugged rocks (the highest in Europe, or perhaps in the world), baffles description.”

It’s true, that description can be difficult for something on this scale. It’s a sight that needs to be seen with your own eyes to appreciate the grand beauty of the cliffs and, at the same time, the intricate details of the animals and the plants.

It would be a highlight of any trip to Ireland – especially for nature lovers. In the meantime, I thought I would share some photos from my day there in the sun.

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

cliffs of moher, ireland, visiting irish cliffs, moher

>> You can find out more information here about the Cliffs of Moher <<

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Stena Line, Paddy Wagon Tours and Discover Ireland but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Andrew |

    June 27, 2013 at 12:54 am

    Reply

    Love the cliffs. They remind me of Princess Bride every time I see pictures though.

  2. Dan |

    June 27, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Reply

    Wow magnificent photos!

  3. Laura @Travelocafe |

    June 30, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    Reply

    Amazing scenery! Ireland at it’s best. And you have captured it perfectly.

  4. T.W. Anderson @ Marginal Boundaries |

    July 1, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Reply

    Breathtaking…especially the view looking out towards that castle hugging the ridge-line!

  5. Shanna Schultz |

    July 2, 2013 at 1:46 am

    Reply

    Wow, what good luck you had with the weather. My pictures (like so many others that I have seen) included rain and fog. Amazingly enough, they still looked spectacular, even under those conditions, but it is nice to see that the sun does shine in Ireland every now and again!

  6. Jennifer |

    July 2, 2013 at 6:55 am

    Reply

    Gorgeous! We haven’t been to Ireland yet, but when we go we’d love to hike along these cliffs.

  7. Lauren @ AllThingsGo.co.uk |

    July 7, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Reply

    All of your Ireland posts just remind me of Father Ted and make me chuckle. If you’ve never seen it have a look on YouTube!

  8. Jan Ross |

    July 16, 2013 at 12:35 am

    Reply

    Truly an incredible place. We spent a week in Ireland and this was the place we remember the most. Great photos!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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