Discover Cliffs of Moher: the best natural landscape in Ireland

One of the must do things when you visit Ireland is go to the Cliffs of Moher.moher cliffs
The official web site says: “The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with a magical vista that captures the hearts of up to one million visitors every year!”
Do you know why they are so important? Have you ever been there before?
We always bring our students to the Cliffs, we leave them free to understand why, but for you we’ll do an exception.
In this article you’ll find some more information about the Cliffs which is going to impress you, and make you want to visit them.

WP_000007The Cliffs of Moher are part of the Clare coastline. They form a continuous rocky wall, perpendicular or overhanging (for 8km!) with different heights, and broken into the most fantastic forms and tunnel into innumerable caves thanks to the action of the waves.
The highest point is at Knockardin, near the famous O’Brien’s Tower, which is 214m from sea level.
From there you can see:
– the Aran Islands and Galway Bay in the west;
– the Twelve Pins and the Maam Turk Mountains in Connemara in the north;
– the Loop Head and beyond to the Kerry mountains in the south.DSC06637

In the ancient Gaelic language (the official Irish language), the word “Mothar” means: “ruined fort”.
A 1st century BC fort stood where Moher tower now stands. For this reason the Cliffs of Moher means: “the cliffs of the ruined fort” but there is no trace remaining of this two thousand year old fort which has given the name to the cliffs.

It can’t be a surprise if I say that the Cliffs of Moher are considered one of the natural wonders of the world!
Nature’s wonders you can find at the Cliffs of Moher. From the cliffs themselves carved by time, to the mighty Atlantic ocean or the birds, plants and other wildlife that inhabit the cliffs. Believe or not also in the sea there are plenty of natural wonders to enjoy.
atlantic-puffinsThe cliffs have been designated as a Special and Protect Area of Conservation by the EU and they are house to more than 30,000 sea birds.
The most famous are the Atlantic Puffins, small comical bird with a black and white evening suit and colorful bill. They are sometimes called the sea parrot. The area is also really important for breeding Razorbills. Other species include Fulmar, Gannets, Guillemots and Kittiwakes.

Not everybody knows that the Cliffs of Moher have been used as the special location for many movies over the years. The credit list is really extensive:

  • The Yank – 2013 – Wet Ears Productions
  • Burke & Hare – 2010 – Ealing Studios
  • Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince – 2009 – Warner Brothers Studios
  • Into the West -1992 – Parallel Films
  • Hear My Song – 1992 – Miramax
  • The Princess Bride – 1987 – MGM
  • Ryans Daughter- 1970 – Warner Brothers
  • The Guns of Navarone – 1961 – Columbia Pictures

Just because I am sure that everybody is curious about the movie of Harry Potter, and nobody can remember the scene, I will help you!
harry potterIn Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince, Harry and the Professor Dumbledore appeared on a rock off the shore from forbidding sea cliff. They enter a cave to find one of the Horcruxes in which Voldemort has hidden part of his soul (I hope all of you know what is a Horcruxe).  This scene was filmed on location at the Cliffs of Moher in September 2007. The rock involved is actually called “Lemon Rock”, almost 150km south west of the Cliffs of Moher. They didn’t film the scene there; the sea cave was recreated in studio from exact measurements taken onsite. –Unbelievable!–

DSC_9297At the end or at the beginning of your visit, you have to pass by The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, where you can find info about: Natural History, Social History and Geography education content. They are explained with a strong ‘fun’ element, thrown in for good measure. It’s a world class heritage centre with modern educational interpretation facilities.

Can’t you wait to come over? I know it’s amazing, and with us it’s even better!
We’re waiting for you, jump on board!
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