Cliffs of Moher

52.936111111111 - 9.4708333333333Koordinaten: 52 ° 56 '10 " N, 9 ° 28' 15 " W

The Cliffs of Moher (Irish Aillte to Mhothair ) are the most famous cliffs of Ireland. They are (south of the cliffs ) on the southwest coast of Ireland in County Clare near the villages of Doolin (north of the cliffs ) and Liscannor.

The name

The ruins of the fortified residence of a chief is in the province of Munster often mothar (pronounced " moher " ) called. So also in County Clare, although the term originally featuring a group of trees or bushes. On the Cliff near Hag 's Head on the west coast of County Clare once stood a stone fort, called Moher O'Ruan ( " Ruan 's crumbling fort" ). This landmark was the cliffs its name.

Description

The cliffs rise nearly vertically in many places from the Atlantic Ocean and extending over a length of about eight kilometers. At the south end, the Hag 's Head, they have a height of about 120 m, north of O'Brien 's Tower reach them even 214 m.

The O'Brien's Tower is located about halfway down the track and was built in 1835 by Sir Cornellius O'Brien as a watchtower. On a clear day you can see from there the Aran Islands and sometimes Galway Bay. Beyond this lie the Maumturk Mountains in Connemara.

At the cliff birds living almost exclusively; a census was 30,000 animals in 29 species. The most interesting are the famous Atlantic Puffins, which live in large colonies at isolated places of the cliff and on Goat Iceland. There are also hawks, gulls, shags and auks.

Tourism

In summer the cliffs are a highly visited tourist attraction. The visitor center belonging paid parking near the O'Brien 's Tower is crowded with visitors vehicles and stalls. The entry is thus free for walkers and cyclists.

A wide -developed road draws crowds at first up a hill to the cliffs up to a viewing platform. A to Hag 's Head ( Ceann na Cailleach ) continue leading, but unsecured way on the edge of the cliffs still exists today also. However, a barrier prevents the proceeding. A sign is asked in English, French and German language, not to use the path.

On 8 February 2007, the new visitor center was completed with attached sidewalks. The newly created, about 200 meters long part of the visitor path which extends up to O'Brien 's Tower was laterally limited for safety reasons by up to 1.40 meters high stone slabs, so that visitors will not be able to step directly up to the Cliff. Since then, the view is limited to the cliffs. South of the cliffs lies the islet of Bishop's Iceland.

Although the Cliffs of Moher are the most famous cliffs in Ireland, though not the highest. Thus, the Slieve League are 601 m high in County Donegal at its highest point and the cliffs of Croaghaun on Achill Iceland in County Mayo measure even 664 m. Both cliffs are touristy undeveloped and therefore less popular.

Arts and Culture

The Cliffs of Moher are a popular shooting location for movies. So here among other scenes for Harry Potter and the Half -Blood Prince, Hear My Song and The Princess Bride arisen.

Photos

Looking north with the O'Brien 's Tower

Looking East

View to the south

Panorama, December 2006

View to the Northeast, September 2007

Sunset, February 2005

Look at the Hag 's Head in stormy weather

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