Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher and why you should see them from the water
Formed over millions of years and soaring vertically skywards for 700ft, the Cliffs of Moher are an impressive sight. Seeing them from a boat offers a wholly different perspective. Here’s why.
Running for miles along the coast of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher are an awe-inspiring wonder of nature, formed over 350 million years ago on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Combine a trip to this wild, windswept part of Ireland with hiking the rocky landscapes of The Burren National Park and listening to traditional music in villages like Doolin, but whatever your itinerary, don't miss organising a boat trip to see the Cliffs of Moher from the water.
What are the Cliffs of Moher?
Rising vertically from the sea as high as 702ft, the Cliffs of Moher continue for more than 10 miles. The name Moher comes from the word Mothar, Irish for ruined fort and a nod to an ancient promontory fort that once stood at their top. In 2011, they officially became part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, recognised by UNESCO for their unique geological composition.
The 11-mile walking trail that runs along their top will throw up sightings of wildflowers — sea pink and birdsfoot trefoil cling to the cliff edge here — while views stretch as far as the Aran Islands and Galway Bay on a clear day, but to truly appreciate their magnitude, hop in a boat and witness them from the water.
Why should you experience them from the water?
The cliff paths around the visitor centre can be very busy (the area gets more than a million visitors every year), so seeing them from the water offers a chance to escape the crowds. Plus, it offers a wholly new perspective.
As you observe the cliffs from a boat, you’ll see how they are constantly being lashed and eroded by the force of the Atlantic. Look closely at the different layers of rock — the cliffs consist mainly of beds of Namurian shale and sandstone, each clearly distinguishable by colour and texture. Every layer is millions of years old and contains the fossils of ancient organisms — largely bivalves and plant material — all of which once lived in the shallow mudflats at the edge of the ocean.
Boat trips start and end in Doolin, and you’ll get to see sights like Hag’s Head, the sea caves and Branaunmore, a sea stack home to thousands of seabirds.
What should I look out for?
At the southern end, look for the outline of Hag’s Head, a rock formation said to resemble an old woman looking out to sea. A moving local legend tells of a lady called Mal who fell in love with the Irish warrior Cú Chulainn. She chased him all over Ireland, but when she finally cornered him here, she lost her footing and fell into the sea, only to be transformed into stone.
Elsewhere, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the cave which appeared in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Dumbledore and Harry found a horcrux in this dark, dank cave, but in fact, the cliffs have featured in several films, and were the Cliffs of Insanity in the 1987 movie, The Princess Bride, where the hero scales the cliffs to save his love interest.
Boat trips also cruise under O’Brien’s Tower, the area's highest point, topped with an observation tower built as far back as 1835 for English visitors who travelled to see the cliffs even then. While the teahouse that once existed here is no more, the tower is still open to visitors today — download the Cliffs of Moher app for a virtual tour.
Will I see any wildlife?
A Special Protection Area under the Eu Birds Directive, the cliffs are a seabird sanctuary, with rocky ledges and mossy tufts providing ideal nesting sites for more than 20 different species. From kittiwakes and razorbills to guillemots, as many as 30,000 pairs of seabirds nest here between April and July, particularly around the sea stack An Branán Mór.
From May to July, keep a particular eye out for Atlantic puffins, with their stubby bodies and beautiful, brightly coloured bills. These little birds fly in and out of their nests in the cliff's grassy mounds and you'll often see them swooping down to the water to fish for sandeels and sprats.
The west of Ireland is also popular for whale and shark-spotting, and you might be lucky enough to see a basking shark, which can grow up to 40ft long. These gentle giants descend on these waters in their hundreds from April to September, feeding on the plankton-rich waters around the base of the cliffs. There's also the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins, and don't forget to look out for grey seals lounging at the cliff's base, their mournful wail a sure sign that they're close at hand.
Cliffs of Moher boat trips depart from Doolin Pier and take between 45 minutes and one hour. They run seven days, from March to October (weather depending) and include onboard commentary.The Seafari private tour provides an up-close experience of the cliffs on an eight-seater rib and can be customised to include a visit to the Aran Islands.
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