Cliffs of Moher

The same day we visited the island, we visited the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland. The sea cliffs tower over the rugged West Claire Coast, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Aran Islands. The cliffs run for about 9 miles. They formed over millions of years by the accumulation of sediments carried into an ancient sea by rivers from distant mountains. The cliff's edges are constantly eroding, so they are always changing. They might not look the same in a few years.

From the water

One of the best ways to see the cliffs is from the water. We did this. After leaving Inis Oirr, our boat drove towards the cliffs.  After getting off the boat, the bus took us to the top side of the cliffs. We walked as much of the coastal path as we had time. Every few feet, the view seemed different. The lighting changed. The angle was different. The vegetation was different. I kept clicking. 

View from the coastal walk

The highest point is O'Brien's Tower at 702 feet above the sea. The tower was built in 1885 as an observation tower for English tourists who frequented the cliffs.

Apparently a few people have fallen off the cliffs, most likely because they left the safety of the path. Some people have also jumped off the cliffs. According to different web sources, between 1992 and 2017, 66 people have died at the Cliffs of Moher. A woman died this year after losing her footing. It does get pretty windy up there. Be careful, especially with those selfies!

Different lighting

The Cliffs of Moher have been featured in many movies, including Harry Potter, the Princess Bride, and Leap Year (my favorite). It would have been nice to have more time to walk the path and peruse the visitor's center. Maybe someday I'll get to go back.