Cliffs of Moher: A Perfect Morning on Ireland’s Dramatic Coastline

The forecast for our morning at the Cliffs of Moher promised wind, sideways rain, and fog that would swallow the Atlantic. What we found was the opposite: blue sky, warm sunlight, and a cheerful parking-lot attendant calling out, “Enjoy your day.”

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Starting Early: The Gift of a Quiet Sunday Morning

We arrived a little before 10:00 a.m. on a Sunday on the first weekend of September. Early enough in the day that the rush hadn’t hit yet. First on our list of places to visit during our time at Cliffs of Moher: O’Brien’s Tower.

Cliffs of Moher Morning Video

We filmed part of our morning at the Cliffs of Moher so you can see how quiet and beautiful it was. The blue sky surprised us, and going straight to O’Brien’s Tower made the views even more dramatic.

O’Brien’s Tower: A Nineteenth-Century Flex

O’Brien’s Tower was built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien, who, if the stories are to be believed, hoped the tower might impress visiting women. From the top, the views were everything we hoped for: Aran Islands floating in the distance, the cliffs stretching south like rugged pages torn from a novel. Building the tower may have been a romantic folly for, but climbing it first thing when we visited was an excellent decision. It felt crowded before we descended.

After we made our way down from the tower, Chris said, “Ladies like limericks more than castles, right?”

“Where’s my castle?” I asked. Chris read me a Limerick he wrote earlier that day, when we were in Limerick. I wanted the opportunity to compare and see which I liked better. You can hear us each read limericks we wrote in our video, We Road Tripped Through Ireland – Poetry, Cliffs & Tea!

Standing at the Edge of Ireland

Every visit to the Cliffs of Moher comes with one universal truth: photographs cannot do it justice. You have to stand near the edge (safely behind the barriers—this is not the time to be a daredevil), feel the pull of the wind, and look at the sheer drop that looks unreal even when you’re standing right in front of it. We walked along the path for as long as our schedule permitted. Parts of the path felt crowded.

Amid all this awe, I took time to admire the cows. That’s right. Cows were grazing nearby, unfazed by their glorious surroundings and the roaring Atlantic. I did not take pictures, though, so you’ll have to go and see them for yourself :-) 

Visitor Centre: What to Expect

The two things that most impressed us about the Visitor Centre at Cliffs of Moher were the views from where we sat in the café and how the centre’s design blends into the landscape. It’s built into a hillside and has a clever underground design. 

Within the centre, there is an impressive exhibit, a pleasant gift shop, the previously mentioned café, and clean restrooms. I’m more drawn to people’s stories than I am to science, so when we made our way through the exhibit, the part I most enjoyed was learning about the inventor J.P. Holland. He designed the world’s first submarine. I encountered him again while reading The Irish Diaspora by Turtle Bunbury.

Planning Your Visit

• Arrive early, especially in summer or on weekends.
• Book online ahead of time, and you’ll save time and might also save money.
• Park toward the far end of the lot for the shortest walk.
• Head to O’Brien’s Tower first while it’s still quiet.
• Stay on the marked paths. The cliffs are breathtaking—and the warnings are there for good reason.
• Give yourself at least 2–3 hours. More if you plan to hike part of the coastal trail.
  

Ireland rewards unhurried travel.

More County Clare Inspiration

If you’re exploring this part of Ireland, you might also enjoy:

• Old Ground Hotel Review (Ennis)
  A lovely stay with one of our favorite dinners in County Clare.
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
  Walkable storybook charm for fans of This Is Happiness and lovers of Irish history.
• Why Ennis Is The Perfect Base for Exploring County Clare
  Trad music, cozy pubs, historic sites, and an all-around charming town to stroll through.

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