Cliffs of Moher in Ireland 2025

The Cliffs of Moher are situated at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare. Rising slowly from the Village of Doolin they ascend over 213 metres above the Atlantic Ocean stretching south for nearly 8 km to Hags head. The midpoint of the cliffs is a round stone O'Brien's Tower, built in 1835. The cliffs were named after an old promontory fort Mothar or Moher. It once stood on the southernmost point of the cliffed coast, Hag's Head, and now the Moher Tower.

The cliffs consist mainly of Namurian shale and sandstone, and their oldest rocks can be found at the bottom of the cliffs. It is even possible to see 300-million-year-old river channels forming unconformities at the base of cliffs beds.

The cliffs attract vast crowds of tourists to Ireland each year and were on top of the list of attractions in 2006 as they drew almost one million visitors. From the cliffs, tourists can see Loop Head, the Twelve Pins and Maumturks mountain ranges, and the Aran Islands in Galway Bay.

A wide variety of sea life can be seen during the promenade on the cliffs: grey seals, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, minke whales and sunfish. On land, you can face feral goats, badgers, and foxes. The Irish hares are also common in this area.

There is no accommodation right at the Cliffs of Moher. However, the closest town of Doolin has a good supply of bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants and pubs.

The cliffs are accessible year-round except on December 24-26 and are exceptionally pleasant from April to September. But mind that this is also the prime tourist season, peaking in July and August. Avoid the busiest hours from 11 am to 4 pm.