Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

No reviews yetCoast Ireland

O'Brien's Tower was built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien as a viewing point for visitors, Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, Ireland

Moher Tower, a Napoleonic-era lookout, stands at Hag's Head, the southern end of the cliffs, Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, Ireland

Doonagore Castle, a restored round tower house, overlooks Doolin and the Atlantic, Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, Ireland

Mullaghmore's folded limestone terraces are the signature landscape of Burren National Park, Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, Ireland

About Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren lie side by side in County Clare on Ireland's west coast, facing the Atlantic. The cliffs rise sheer from the ocean for several miles, while the Burren just inland is a striking limestone landscape of bare, fissured rock that supports an unusual mix of Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants. People have lived here for thousands of years, leaving tombs, forts and churches across the stony hills.

At the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, paths lead along the edge to O'Brien's Tower, and the longer Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk continues toward Hag's Head at the southern end. The village of Doolin, known for traditional music in its pubs, has a cave with a large free-hanging stalactite. Inland, Burren National Park protects the terraced hill of Mullaghmore and surrounding wetlands. The Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic portal tomb, stands on a limestone pavement, and Caherconnell Stone Fort shows a medieval ringfort with ongoing archaeology. Kilfenora is a small village with high crosses, Aillwee Cave offers guided tours underground, and the ruins of Corcomroe Abbey sit in a quiet valley.

The area suits walkers, music lovers and anyone interested in archaeology. Weather on the coast changes quickly, and wind can be fierce.

Best seasonMay to September for longer days, though spring brings Burren wildflowers.

Ideal stayTwo to three days to walk the cliffs and explore the Burren without rushing.

ArrivingShannon Airport is the closest major gateway, about an hour's drive away.

WiserMap travel guideCliffs of Moher and the Burren Ireland Doolin and CavesExplore the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren in County Clare: O'Brien's Tower, coastal walk, Doolin, Poulnabrone, caves, abbeys, food, bases and best seasons.Read the guide

12 Best Things to Do in Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

Landmarks 1

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience and O'Brien's Tower

The Cliffs of Moher rise up to 214 meters above the Atlantic and stretch for about 14 kilometers along the Clare coast. The visito...

History 3

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Poulnabrone Dolmen is a portal tomb over 5,000 years old, made of thin upright stones topped by a large capstone, standing on the...

Caherconnell Stone Fort

Caherconnell is a well preserved stone ring fort in the Burren, dating from around the 10th century and later used by local lords....

Corcomroe Abbey

Corcomroe Abbey is the ruin of a Cistercian monastery founded around 1200 in a quiet valley of the north Burren near Bellharbour....

Hikes 3

Hag's Head and the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk

The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk runs about 18 kilometers from Liscannor to Doolin along the cliff tops. The southern section to H...

Burren National Park and Mullaghmore

Burren National Park protects a strange landscape of limestone pavement, turloughs, hazel scrub and wild flowers in the southeast...

Black Head and the Fanore Coast

The coast road R477 between Ballyvaughan and Fanore winds below bare limestone hills with views across Galway Bay to the Aran Isla...

Caves 2

Doolin Cave

Doolin Cave holds the Great Stalactite, one of the longest free-hanging stalactites in the world at about 7.3 meters. Guided tours...

Aillwee Cave

Aillwee Cave is a show cave in the hills above Ballyvaughan, with guided tours of about 35 minutes through passages with stalactit...

Wildlife 1

Burren Birds of Prey Centre

The Burren Birds of Prey Centre, beside Aillwee Cave, houses eagles, owls, hawks and falcons. Daily flying displays show the birds...

Villages 2

Doolin

Doolin is a small village near the Cliffs of Moher, known as a center of traditional Irish music, with sessions most nights in pub...

Kilfenora

Kilfenora is a small village in the south Burren known for its high crosses, carved stone crosses at its old cathedral, part of wh...

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