The Cliffs of Moher & The Burren

It is rare that two of natures most beautiful exhibits are in such easy proximity of each other, but the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren make Co. Clare a must on any discerning holidaymakers plans for Ireland.

Nestled between the more famous visitor attractions of Galway and Kerry, Clare has become increasingly popular due to recent developments such as Doonbeg Golf & Spa Resort and general improvements in infrastructure.

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. 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 are home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland. The area was designated as a Refuge for Fauna in 1988 and as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive in 1989.

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.

In 2007, Atlantic Edge, an award winning eco-friendly visitor centre containing the state of the art interpretive centre was opened.

The Burren

The Burren is an area of limestone rock covering imposing majestic mountains, and tranquil valleys with gently meandering streams.

With its innate sense of spiritual peace, extraordinary array of flora and wildlife, and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt's pyramids, the Burren creates a tapestry of colour and a seductively magical aura which few people leave without wanting to experience again.

Selected hotels in Clare