Don't Jump! Surviving The Steep Irish Cliffs of Moher

August 6, 2009 at 2:34 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

All this week, Jaunted contributor CMB will be giving us notes on her Dublin Field Trip. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.

Right up there with the Guinness Store and the Blarney Stone when it comes to must-see tourist traps in Ireland are The Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs, located on a four-mile stretch of the western coast between Shannon and Galway, are over seven hundred feet high at their topmost point, from the ramparts to the sea level of Liscannor Bay.

Photo ops of the area include O'Brien�s tower, built at the highest point by Sir Cornelius O'Brien, a descendant of Ireland's High King Brian Boruin in 1835. On the rare clear day at The Cliffs you can see all the way to the Aran Islands and Galway Bay from the tower. There is also a paved path with a safety wall to walk along part of the cliffs, but brave souls can enjoy a worn walking path beyond that.

The Cliffs are worth enduring the freezing cold winds and sea mist for, but be prepared to take one family photo after another for fellow tourists. Also, be on the look out for jumpers. Because of their height, The Cliffs are known as one of the top suicide spots in the world. There are even phone numbers posted along the path to call if you "need to talk".

The Cliffs of Moher are free to visit but there is parking fee of �8.00. It costs �2.00 to climb to the top of O'Brien's Tower and an additional �4.95 to tour the indoor Atlantic Edge Exhibition. You can see the cliffs from below by taking the Doolin Ferry, which gives a daily one hour for �8.00.

The closest hotels and restaurants are in the coastal town of Lahinch, about 15 away minutes by car. The Atlantic Inn and Shamrock Inn, both on Main St, are popular with tourists for their traditional Irish restaurants with reasonably priced lodging.

Related Stories
· Cliffs of Moher [Bargain travel Europe]
· Lahinch [Tour Claire]
· Ireland [Jaunted]

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