Guide to Visiting the Cliffs of Moher

Disclaimer: I paid for this trip myself. All recommendations and opinions are my own.

The Cliffs of Moher is one of the first sites I visited when I moved to Ireland and it certainly made an impact on me. We went to Galway for the weekend and chose to head out on a day trip to visit the dramatic cliffs. These cliffs have starred in several of my favourite movies including the cult classic The Princess Bride, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and my sister and I’s ’80’s favourite Far and Away (when Tom and Nicole were the ultimate Hollywood couple). They were also used in the cult classic Irish TV show Father Ted – if you too are a fan, then check out my post on visiting the nearby Aran Islands it was based on.

Keen to keep costs down, we relied on public transport to get us around, which thankfully was easily achievable. We took the GoBus from Dublin to Galway (we arrived on Friday night), then took the Bus Éireann on the 350 route from Galway city bus station to the Cliffs of Moher the following morning. Taking the bus also saved us having to pay for an admission ticket, as pedestrians have right of way. However, if you are arriving by car, you will need to pay for parking (the car park is large) which will also get you admission to the exhibition at the Visitor Centre. You can still access the other services such as the toilets and cafe in the Visitors Centre without a ticket.

The bus service runs about five times a day during the summer tourist season, and 3 during the winter months, so make sure you plan your day around the bus timetable. As it was going to take about two and a quarter hours to get out there, we got up early to take the first bus of the day. The cliffs are located on the west coast of Ireland in Country Clare. There are several nearby villages including Liscannor and Doolin, and there is accommodation scattered around the area if you are wanting to stay closer to the cliffs.

It was the start of August when we visited, the busiest holiday month in Europe, so it was already bustling when we arrived. We decided to head straight out to the cliffs. There are three viewing platforms from which to admire the cliffs and ocean and generally this is where the majority of people who visit gather to enjoy the views. Although it was busy here, because the viewing points stretch a reasonable distance, it didn’t feel particularly overly crowded. For a small fee you can enjoy the views from the observation deck of O’Brien’s Tower, which stands on the headland. The Tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the first High King of Ireland. As the numbers allowed in at any one time was restricted, there was a line of people waiting to get in.

We were very lucky with the weather as it was a lovely clear day. The weather is rather fickle in Ireland, so if you are planning to visit the cliffs, then prepare yourself for possible disappointment, as many visitors end up faced with cliffs shrouded in fog and low cloud. The cliffs reach a dramatic 214m (702 feet) and on a clear day you can see the nearby Aran Islands and all the way out to Dingle Peninsula.

In an attempt to escape the crowds and get a closer look at the cliffs, we headed out on the path south. Initially, this path was very busy and had a steady stream of foot traffic going both ways. As it is narrow in places, a bit of patience is required, however, there is plenty to see along the way so it really isn’t a big deal. The cliffs are also home to a number of seabirds, so if you enjoy bird watching, this is the place for you. A wide range of sea birds come here throughout the year such as Puffins, Razorbills, and of course the gulls. However, most birds are not there all year round, and only stay for a short time during the breeding season. For example, the Puffins are only there for a short time from April/May for breeding. If you want to see particular species, you would need to plan your trip according to when they usually arrive on the cliffs. In saying that, whilst we were there in August there were plenty of birds to see and enjoy.

We also came across a person dressed in traditional Irish style dress playing an Irish harp along the path! A clever way to earn some money as it was very atmospheric. The further we walked, the quieter it got as I always find that most tourists don’t typically walk very far from the main site. So if you have time, I encourage you to at least walk out to the Moher Fort Site Telegraph Station which took us just over an hour as we did stop a number of times along the way to enjoy the view. This point enables you to enjoy the views of the other side of the coastline. This path continues on towards the village of Liscannor.

Once we got back to the Visitor Centre we visited the cafe for some afternoon tea. There are toilets available here as well as the usual gift shop, an onsite cafe and upstairs restaurant which offers stunning views of the coastline and cliffs. There is also an exhibition which you can gain entry to with your car parking ticket, but you will need to pay extra if you arrived by bus as we did.

In the afternoon we jumped back on the bus to head home and the following day we headed out to visit the Aran Islands, so check out my post on that too, as you can easily get there from Galway without a car.

Optional Activities

• Boat trip: You can get a sea view of the cliffs by taking a one hour cruise around them. Boats leave from Doolin harbour.
• Walking: The cliffs stretch for 8km (5miles) which join up with other tracks. If you are keen for a hiker, there are a number of longer coastal walks that depart from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre:
  • Hags Head 5km, 1.5hr-2hr
  • Moher Sports Field 6km, 2hr
  • Liscannor village 12km, 3.5hr
  • Doolin 8km, 2.5hr-3hr

Refer to this Cliffs of Moher coastal walking map for more details. Remember that these are only one-way distances and walking times. Don’t forget to double them for a return walk.

Practical Tips for Visiting The Cliffs of Moher

• How to get there: Take route 350 on Bus Éireann from Galway city bus station, or you can drive there and pay for the onsite parking. If you prefer, you can also get there by guided tour which can be combined with other sites in the area.
• Language: English
• Currency: Euro
• Tipping: Not required, but people usually round up.
• Electricity: The electrical current is 230 volts AC. Wall outlets take a three pronged plug only used in Ireland and the United Kingdom. However, you are better off purchasing a worldwide adaptor with USB ports that can be used in the Ireland as well other countries. At least then you can potentially get some further use out of it on future vacations.
• Driving: In Ireland they drive on the left hand side of the road with speed signs in kilometres per hour. Read my post on How to Drive Around Ireland. If you are planning on renting a vehicle, then read What to Expect When Renting a Vehicle in Ireland.
• Navigating: We used Google’s free Offline Maps. Google Offline Maps allows you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WIFI, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Follow this detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps. Warning: Both phone reception and mobile networks can be patchy. Even if you do have a data plan in Ireland, DON’T rely on being able to access the mobile networks to access Google online maps. Make sure you download a map to use when you find yourself without internet.
  • Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so use a portable charger which you can use to charge your phone and any other chargeable devices.
  • And finally, you could also purchase an Irish road map. At least it’s reliable and won’t run out of battery or malfunction like the electronic options!
• Wondering what to pack? This is a list of essential items that I packed for my trip around Ireland. It’s quite windy on the cliffs, which kinda hurts your ears after a while, so I found a headband that covered my ears helped. The weather is also changeable, so take a jacket with you to keep out the wind and possible rain.