By air
Shannon (SNN), ~1 h
Europe · Ireland
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Sheer cliffs over the Atlantic
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to September — the mildest months
Don't miss
The Cliffs of Moher
O'Brien's Tower
Doolin
The Burren
Things to do
The cliff walk from Doolin
Ferries to the Aran Islands
Where to eat
What to pack
Windproof layers
A quieter corner
The Poulnabrone dolmen in the Burren
Questions travellers ask
Which months suit the Cliffs of Moher?
May to September, the mildest months. Even then, pack windproof layers: these are sheer cliffs over the Atlantic.
What's the best way to see the cliffs?
Take the cliff walk from Doolin and make time for O'Brien's Tower. Back in Doolin, a bowl of seafood chowder is the reward.
Is there anything else worth doing nearby?
Seek out the Poulnabrone dolmen in the Burren, the area's hidden gem. Ferries also run to the Aran Islands if you want to add them.
Which airport is closest to the Cliffs of Moher?
Fly into Shannon (SNN), about an hour away.
About Cliffs of Moher
- Coastal
Where it is
The Cliffs of Moher run for about 14 km along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in western Ireland, at the south-western edge of the Burren, reaching 214 m at their highest.
History
The cliffs are made mainly of beds of shale and sandstone laid down more than 300 million years ago, when a river dumped sand and mud into an ancient sea basin. In 1835 Sir Cornelius O'Brien built O'Brien's Tower near the middle of the cliffs as a viewing point, and a visitor centre built into the hillside opened in 2007.
People
The nearby villages of Doolin, Liscannor and Lahinch are known for traditional music, fishing and surfing, and people speak English, with Irish spoken on the Aran Islands offshore. County Clare has a strong tradition of concertina and fiddle playing.
Known for
- Sheer sea cliffs over the Atlantic
- O'Brien's Tower
- Puffins and seabird colonies
- The cliff path to Doolin
- Views of the Aran Islands
Did you know?
The cliffs played the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride and also appear in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.