Every Overland Ireland tour stops at our country’s number one tourist destination—the Cliffs of Moher. This hotspot can be somewhat busy, but we take you off the beaten track and avoid the crowds. We show you the cliffs from a different perspective and you will only meet the mass tourist population that visits every day for a short while.
We also take you on a scenic and safe two-hour hike where your guide will tell you all about the local fauna and flora.
No matter which of our small-group Ireland tours you join, you can be sure of enjoying the complete Cliffs of Moher experience. If you need more information about any of our Ireland excursions, please just contact us! And now, let’s get started on our amazing facts about the Cliffs of Moher!
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s Most Popular Tourist Destination
Many people think The Book of Kells or Dublin Zoo are the most popular paid tourist destinations in Ireland. But last year, it was the Cliffs of Moher with over a million visitors! This extraordinary place is a great natural experience and boasts amazing scenery. For many photographers, it’s a dream to get a clear day and that perfect shot!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we included the Cliffs of Moher in our own list of the top five places to visit in Ireland.
The Cliffs of Moher is an Old Tourist Destination
Originally, the lookout point of these amazing cliffs would be used for fishing, collecting bird eggs, and quarrying dating back to 1 BC. However, during the 16th century tourism travel writers started to discover the Cliffs of Moher. Many travel journals from this time contain descriptions of these epic cliffs.
The little tower looking out across the cliffs is called O’Brien’s Tower, named after the local landowner, Cornelius O`Brien. He built the structure as a lookout point with more tourists in mind. He thought it would benefit the local economy.
If you want more tips for walking on the wild side, check out our picks for the best wild places in Ireland.
The Cliffs of Moher Have Appeared on the Big and Small Screen
Given how spectacular the Cliffs of Moher look, it makes sense that the directors and producers of movies and TV shows would want them in their projects. You might already recognise them from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well as The Princess Bride, Leap Year, Ryan’s Daughter, and The Mackintosh Man. They also featured in the famous TV series Father Ted.
The Cliffs of Moher are the Setting for Irish Legends
Mal was a witch who fell deeply in love with the legendary warrior Cu Chulainn. However, he did not love her back, so she started pursuing him all around Ireland. The warrior escaped to one of the islands near the River Shannon, but a gust of wind carried the witch to the same place.
The warrior managed to escape again, fleeing to another island. When the witch expected a gust of wind to carry her to the next island, it let her down. She fell from the top of the Cliffs of Moher to her death.
The rock, now named after her, was said to take the shape of Mal’s profile and remains visible to this day.
Looking for more unmissable sights around the Emerald Isle? Read our recommendations for the must-sees on a road trip in Ireland.
The Cliffs of Moher and Aileen’s Wave
During certain times of the year, the conditions are just right to create a wave that can soar to a whopping 12m, just to the right-hand side of the Cliffs of Moher. This phenomenon is called Aileen’s Wave and scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway have decreed that it’s the nearest thing to the perfect wave.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher on Our Tours of Ireland!
We hope these amazing facts about the Cliffs of Moher have inspired you to come and visit them. Remember, all our small-group Ireland tours stop at the cliffs, so you’re spoilt for choice! If you prefer a tailor-made Ireland tour, we can include a trip here in your itinerary too.
Do you have any questions for the Overland team? Please don’t hesitate to contact us for the answers you need.
Planning on visiting Ireland soon? Get our free guides! We answer your Ireland Travel FAQs + offer local tips for visiting Dublin.
