The Cliffs of Moher - Ireland's Top Attraction

One of the most popular attractions in all of Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher, a site located in County Clare in the Province of Munster. Each year thousands of people come to Ireland, particularly to the western side, to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world -- including these cliffs. They are perhaps the most breathtaking of all Ireland's sights. The name of the cliffs is derived from the Irish words 'Aillte an Mhothair' , which means "cliffs of the ruin."

Each year, the cliffs draw over one million visitors from all over the world. This region is also the most photographed locations in all of Ireland. Tourist are allowed to walk around the cliffs for some of the most beautiful and unspoiled views in the world. There are few guardrails on the cliffs, so visitors should take care as the cliffs reach heights of 702 feet.

The cliffs span nearly five miles of the Irish coast and offers a beautiful glimpse of other areas of the island. On a clear day, visitors can look out into the Galway Bay and see the Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann) off in the distance. The Twelve Bens mountain range (Na Beanna Beola), located in Connemara, can also be seen from here. If you wish to see a great view of the Aran Islands and the Twelve Bens, head off to O'Brien's Tower (and the immediate area) as this is the highest area of the cliffs.

The view of the cliffs themselves is absolutely stunning with the steep limestone and shale rock face and beautiful green moss growing in small crags. The top of the cliffs, where visitors can walk around, offers views of sections of the cliffside and is a great place to (carefully) watch an Atlantic storm roll in.

The hidden secret of the cliffs hold is the huge Atlantic Puffin population as well as small populations of other cliff nesting birds. In order to protect the large number of bird colonies here, the European Union designated a large area of the cliffs as a Special Protection Area and a Refuge for Fauna.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience was created in 2007 in order to accommodate the large number of tourists that visit the area. The Visitor Experience allows visitors to learn about the origin of the cliffs and learn about the area's wildlife.

A variety of multimedia displays within the 'Atlantic Edge' area of the center allow visitors to see how the cliffs look from above the Irish landscape as well as rare views of the underwater caves that run through the base of the cliffs.

One of the most important aspects of the project was to allow tourists to enjoy the area without the facilities ruining the unspoiled beauty of the natural setting. The center also aims to reduce the impact tourists have on the local environment with the use of geothermal heating, solar panels, and even greywater recycling. Because of the environmental efforts that County Clare put into the development of the facilities, the Visitor Experience has earned many awards.

There are a number of interesting facts about the cliffs:

• The cliffs are one of 28 global finalists in the "New Seven Wonders of Nature". The winners of the contest will be announced in November 2011.
• The Cliffs of Moher are located in the southwestern corner of a particularly rocky area of Ireland known as The Burren.
• A number of movies have scenes filmed at the cliffs which include: Leap Year (2010), Princess Bride (1987), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), and several others.
• The cover art for U2's album "No Line On The Horizon" is a photo of the Atlantic taken from the cliffs.
• The waves near the cliffs make this area a popular place to surf. The waves here are often called Aileens among the surfer crowd.

Visitors to the Cliffs of Moher often stay in hotels in Liscannor, Ennis, or Bunratty. If you're looking to experience the Aran Islands, there is a nearby ferry that can take you there. There are a number of small hotels and B&Bs there allowing you to stay overnight on the islands. Be sure to pick up a handmade Aran sweater during your trip to the islands!

There are also many inns and hostels in a number of small towns in the area. The Shannon Airport is the nearest major airport and is a popular airport for tourists on the western side of Ireland. If you're traveling western Ireland, you absolutely need to see the Cliffs of Moher.