The Cliffs

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.

The Cliffs of Moher are home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland. The area was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds under the EU Birds Directive in 1986 and as a Refuge for Fauna in 1988. Included within the designated site are the cliffs, the cliff-top maritime grassland and heath, and a 200 metre zone of open water, directly in front of the cliffs to protect part of the birds' feeding area. The designation covers 200 hectares and highlights the area's importance for wildlife. Details of the SPA including a map can be downloaded here.

We believe that Ecotourism is the way forward for the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren area. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines Ecotourism as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the wellbeing of local people." TIES (1990)

We encourage visitors to the Cliffs of Moher to abide by the 7 principles of Leave No Trace which are

Plan ahead & Prepare

Be Considerate of Others

Respect Farm Animals & Wildlife

Travel & Camp on Durable Ground

Leave What You Find

Dispose of Waste Properly

Minimise the Effects of Fire

See the Events at the Cliffs page for information on Guided Nature Walks conducted by the Cliffs of Moher Rangers & Guides - these should be prebooked to avoid disappointment.