Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most outstanding coastal features, located on the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland. Rising gently from the village of Doolin to over 213 meters, the Cliffs offer some of the most stunning sights in Ireland. Since 2011, the cliffs have been part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, one of a family of geotourism destinations across Europe that are members of the European Geoparks Network and also recognized by UNESCO. The Cliffs of Moher are also a "Signature Point" on the official tourist trail of the Wild Atlantic Way. The cliffs are mainly made up of layers of Namurian shale and sandstone, and the oldest rocks are to be found at the base of the cliffs. When they formed between 313 and 326 million years ago, a river dumped sand, silt and clay into an ancient sea basin. At the height of the season, there are an approximate 30,000 pairs of birds that live on the cliffs, comprising more than 20 species. Among them are Atlantic Puffins, which form large colonies on isolated parts of the cliffs and on small Goat Island, and Lesser Auks. For this reason, the site is an Important Bird Area. The area is also home to a wide range of marine life, from Grey Seals to Porpoises, dolphins, Minke Whales, Basking Sharks and the occasional sunfish. On the land, there are wild goats, foxes, badgers and the Irish Hare. There are also several breeds of farm cattle. The Cliffs of Moher have been featured in several movies, including The Princess Bride, as the location for the filming of "The Cliffs of Insanity", Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Leap Year.