During all of our tours of Ireland we stop at Ireland`s number one tourist destination, The Cliffs of Moher. This hotspot can be somewhat busy but since we are Overland we take you off the beaten track and avoid the masses. We show you the cliffs from a different perspective and only for a short while you will meet the mass tourist population that visits every day. We will go on a scenic two hour hike where your guide will tell you all about the fauna and flora and off course makes sure you are safe during your track along The Cliffs of Moher.
Most popular tourist destination in Ireland
Many people think The Book of Kells or Dublin Zoo are the most popular paying tourist destination but last year it was actually the Cliffs of Moher. With over a million visitors this destination is a great nature experience and boosts amazing scenery. For many photographers it’s a dream to get a clear day and that perfect shot.
Old Tourist Destination
Originally the lookout point of these amazing cliffs would be used for fishing, collecting bird eggs and quarrying dating back to the 1 BC. However, during the 16e century tourism travel writers started to discover the Cliffs of Moher. Many travel journals were discovered with descriptions about these epic cliffs.
The little tower is called O`Brien`s Tower named after the local landowner, Cornelius O`Brien. He build the tower as a lookout point with more tourists in mind. He thought it would benefit the local economy.
Celebrity Status of the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs have been featured in many movies and Tv-series. Some you might know like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and other less known movies like The Yank of the Mackintosh man. It also featured in the famous tv-series Father Ted.
A site of Irish Legends
Mal was a witch who fell deeply in love with the legendary warrior Cu Chulainn. However, he did not love her back and she started chasing him all around Ireland. The worrier escaped to one of the Islands near the River Shannon and the witch got carried by a gust of wind to the island. The worrier managed to escape again and when the witch expected to be carried again by a gust of wind on top of the cliffs of Moher to the next islands the wind let her down and she crashed and died. The rocks, now named he, was said to take the shape of Mal’s profile and remains visible to this day.
Surfs up
During certain times of the year, the conditions are just right to create a wave that can soar to a whopping 12m, just on the right hand side of the Cliffs of Moher. Aileen’s Wave, which scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway, have decreed is the nearest thing to the perfect wave.
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