I had been to Ireland’s famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare once before, with my friends Francie and Evan back in 2003. All I remember is it was really windy. This time was no different.
But wind makes for the best photos, right? (And by best, I mean most embarrassing if you’ve got a mop of hair like my mom.)
I have never been anywhere with weather more likely to change on a dime than the Irish coast, specifically the area surrounding the cliffs.
One moment, it’s beautiful and sunny, then literally three minutes later, the rain appears, seemingly out of nowhere.
My advice: Be ready to run outside and snap your photos the second you see hint of the sun, because it won’t linger long.
And wear waterproof clothes, even if you are sublimely lucky and hit the cliffs on a day with little rain. The spray from the Atlantic will cover you in a layer of salt regardless of what the sky is doing.
One nice addition to the natural attraction in the decade since I’ve visited is an indoor museum, gift shop and cafe. It has a nice viewing area, from which we sipped hot chocolate during one particularly wet downpour.
It’s a solid 15-minute, slippery walk (on a paved path) from the parking lot out to the ocean, so leave the heels at home and wear your sneakers instead.
And don’t expect to be able to get your photo right up next to the edge of the cliffs.
It’s no longer allowed (for obvious reasons).
With all the factors: the wind, the hundreds of people and the lack of an unobstructed viewpoint, a group photo can be tricky. But I finally set my tripod up on the top of a flight of stone stairs, weighed it down with my camera bag and put the timer on rapid shot. Good thing, as somehow this was the only posed photo we got of the three of us over 16 days!
(Don’t mind the fact that my scarf is trying to cut Mom out of the picture entirely.)
Those pictures are insanely beautiful!
Wow, it really does live up to its reputation! Though I think I would go insane with my hair blowing everywhere haha.
Yeah, there’s no point in doing anything to your hair before going to the cliffs, other than to put it up in a ponytail to keep it out of your face!
Amazing photos! The combination of cliffs, water, and wind looks so impressive! I have been dreaming about seeing the Cliffs of Moher for quite a while now – I really hope I’ll manage to take a trip to beautiful Ireland in 2013!
I hope you do, too! Merry Christmas!
Even with the wind, you got some good shots. I like the 4th one the best.
Back in 2004, after our red eye flight, my mom and I grabbed our rental car and our first Irish destination was The Cliffs of Mohr…..it was so cold and windy! The indoor gift shop was a good addition…it seems like there was some very small little shop when we were there where we got much needed coffee and hot chocolate.
You got some great photos! Good tips about the crazy weather.
I wish If i could be over there in those cliffs , the awesome winds and the moisture in the atmosphere would be so cool. it seems like You are enjoying a lot over there.. ! Awesome
I have never been so salty as when I left the cliffs—the subtle ocean spray really gets you over the course of the morning!
awesome, beautiful place. love to visit.
That last picture is so beautiful! And I love the window through the cliff…I think hot chocolate while looking out that window at the view sounds pretty perfect.
Hot chocolate, no matter the circumstances, is usually perfect!
When we were there in September, our bus driver/tour guide actually told us that if it gets too windy to walk, we should get down on all fours and crawl along the Cliffs’ path until we felt safe enough to walk again. Craziness! So beautiful, one of my favorite spots! And I totally agree on the weather–we had GORGEOUS sunshine when we got there, but you could see the clouds off in the distance. By the time we left, they had rolled in and were dropping splotches of rain on our heads!
I have a mental image of you crawling delicately across the path, as the wind whips through your air and the ocean sprays you, ha! Hope you did that and got a picture of it 😉
Dang, now I’m mad I DIDN’T take a photo like that! Got plenty others, though, of me getting as close to the edge as I dared. Which, to be honest, wasn’t very close. 🙂 Scaredy cat = me.
It’s absolutely and as green as one imagines Ireland to be!
I was absolutely stunned by your pictures, how well you captured that breathtaking view of the cliff. I was debating whether I should plan a trip to Ireland this year, since I saw a really good deal online, and now I am positive that I would be going there. Thank you for sharing awesome memories!
I think that is a great idea! And if you need any help with hotels or tours, let me know–I have my travel agent license, and my services don’t cost you a penny! =)
Oh wow! that will be great! I will contact you when I start planning 🙂
very amazing trip and photos looks so gorgeous!