Cliffs of Moher
Standing 214m (702 feet) at their highest point they stretch for 8 kilometres (5 miles) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. From the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, as well as the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara, Loop Head to the south and the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in Kerry. O'Brien's Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years.
The Cliffs of Moher has three primary viewing platforms.
The Main Platform:
From the main platform you are able to see the south cliffs and towards Hag’s Head.
The North Platform:
The North platform is located at the highest point of the Cliffs, Knockardakin at 214m or 700 feet above sea level. It is also the location of the Tower viewpoint, O’Brien’s Tower, built by Cornelius O’Brien. From here you can see An Branán Mór Sea Stack, home of the guillemots and razorbills. You can also see the surfing wave ‘Aileen’s’, Aill Na Searrach, to the right when it is up and running. On a clear day you can see across to the Aran Islands: Inis Oírr, Inis Méain and Inis Mór and to the left views of the beautiful Galway Bay. Also from this platform you have a fantastic view of the South Cliffs that stretch for 8km. You can walk to Doolin, approximately 5km, from this point along the Coastal Walk.
The South Platform:
The South Platform is a perfect viewpoint of the Puffin colony, the puffins make their home on Goat Island, a grassy island when you look down and to the right. You can also see many other seabirds and also have fabulous views of the sea stack below O’Briens Tower. From this point you can see the Cliffs as they continue on towards Hags Head. You may continue your walk to Hags Head it is approximately 4km each way with breathtaking views of the Cliffs. The first floor of the Visitors Centre houses the Cliffs View Cafe, providing fabulous views of the Cliffs from the windows looking out of the hillside.
Road directions:
The Cliffs of Moher are three hours from Dublin and just over one hour from Galway and Limerick. You will find them on the R478 just South of Doolin.
Directions from Galway. Allow 1.5 hrs driving time:
Take the N18 out of Galway, and turn right in the village of Kilcolgan on to the N67.
Stay on the N67 as far as lisdonvarna.
Drive through Lisdoonvarna turn right at the SPA wells on to R478
Stay on this road passing the turn off for Doolin.
The Cliffs of Moher are 2 miles approx on your right before Liscannor.
Directions From Limerick. Allow 1.5 to 2hrs driving time:
From Lmerick follow the signs for Shannon airport or Ennis.
Take the N18 from Limerick to Ennis.
Take the N85 from Ennis to Ennistymon via Inagh.
Take a left at Ennistymon on to the N67 following the sigh for Lahinch..
At Lahinch and turn right onto the R478 and stay on this road passing through Liscannor. The Cliffs of Moher are two miles past Liscannor on the left.
Directions From Kerry Allow 1.5 hrs driving time (from Kilimer):
Get the car ferry from Tarbart (in Kerry) to Kilimer (in Clare)
Get off the ferry and take the N67 to Kilrush, turning onto the R483 heading for Miltown Malbay and Lahinch.
Drive through Lahinch and turn left onto the R478 and stay on this road passing through Liscannor. The Cliffs of Moher are two miles past Liscannor on the left.