Have you been to the Cliffs of Moher …
where the best songs are sung by the sea.
As you walk on the Cliffs of Moher,
breathing in pure ocean air,
rolling waves pound rhythms below her,
as music drifts round everywhere
Yes, the best songs are sung by the sea,
where the sun sets into the sea.
On the Cliffs, on the Cliffs of Moher.
— “On the Cliffs of Moher” Benny the Busker
How does one even begin to talk about a beautiful wonder of the world, one that has been on your bucket list for years — somewhere that if you asked me at the beginning of 2019, wasn’t even a thought on my mind? In the most eloquent and perfectly said words above from Benny the Busker’s poem “On the Cliffs of Moher,” I shall do my best.
When I first began toying with the idea of ending my trip from Portugal by making a pitstop in Ireland, the only plan and reasoning was to see the Cliffs of Moher. That was my priority. There are so many amazing spectacular sights in the world, too many that I want to see desperately. If you’re an avid traveler, do you agree that although the list of places you want to travel is long, there are a select few locations that make it into your ultimate bucket list…of life? Do most people have an ultimate life bucket list of things they would absolutely love to do, some things slightly unrealistic or bit hard to actually make happen, but hey it’s fun to dream kind of things? Maybe not, and this might be a conversation for another time 😉
Well, for some reason, for years, not sure when it all began, I’ve always wanted to see and experience the beauty of Cliffs of Moher.
To have been able to experience the Cliffs of Moher on our short trip to Ireland — where the often unpredictable weather looms over with clouds and rain, dampening its majestic sights — and have the sun peak its way out for us to have experienced stunning clear skies above the cliffs ….. was nothing short of blissful.
Truthfully, the whole day was nothing short of perfection! Even with the morning starting off in a hustle of us trying to make the bus early enough to grab a quick breakfast before our tour, all was resolved.
The clouds loomed above and I worried they would still be lingering at the Cliffs once we arrived, especially since days prior a college friend had been there and the sights weren’t all that visible. But Sunnny Skies were coming, I knew they were!!
I happily sat by the window, naturally gazing out onto the beautiful vast lush landscapes, captivated and mesmerized by the infinite number of green hues. I couldn’t take my eyes away, nor did I anytime during the three plus hour drive to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin. Well, except when a pitstop to the loo was in other 😉
I did occasionally find my eye distracted by the driving. Majority of us would, seeing cars and trucks driving on the opposite side of the road. Several times it felt traffic was heading right into us or when driving through small towns and their narrows roads, felt like we’d crash into precious historical buildings. We didn’t.
I’d certainly love to drive the UK way, I think it would be quite fun!
Our tour guides, Sara and Tara, were awesome! They gave the group some time to rest, seeing as a few were in need of just a bit more shuteye before a full day of adventuring. Then the music peaked a little louder and on came witty Tara with her history and banter. I happen to think UK/Irish humor is quite funny, it’s simple and very witty! Every so often she’d mix in facts with funny jabs, especially when we stopped at the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall. Goodness what a laugh!!
And then halfway through our drive as we were nearing the Cliffs, the clouds began to ever so gently clear their way for the sun.
Once we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher, we were greeted with the most intense winds. We had been warned. Even with the strong chill winds, the sun was doing this thing it sometimes does when it’s making its way out from behind the clouds, and in doing so is warming us below. Even in a dress, I was comfortable and very much enjoying the invigorating fresh air!
Our first task was to decide which side of the trail alongside the Cliffs we would take — the right, where O’Brien’s Tower resides or the left-side with iconic views of said Tower and those perfectly vertical jagged cliffs — we went with latter.
Photographs don’t do the intricate natural formation of the Cliffs justice, it’s quite hard to describe something whose amazingness must be seen and experienced in person.
“The sights might not be the clearest but at least we’d still be able to see a good amount onto the Cliffs and Wild Atlantic Way”, I thought, well I was mistaken! As we continued to brace those strong coastal Emerald Isle gusts, the sun came out. Our eyes were met with bright blue skies and vibrant greens, rolling along hills which are home to beautiful horses and cattle. And then of course, to the indescribable textures and composition that makes the 390ft standing Cliffs of Moher majestic in every sense. The moment was pure perfection.
We really couldn’t have expected that we’d be having such amazing weather on our visit to Cliffs of Moher. All I wanted to do was JUMP FOR JOY! Which I did, safely.
… Standing high on the Cliffs of Moher,
you can lose track of trouble and care;
while you sigh, watching brave birds hover,
reflecting on life as you stare.
As you rest on the Cliffs of Moher,
your finest thoughts can fly free …
– “On the Cliffs of Moher” Benny the Busker
There’s so much to explore around the Cliffs, that you really need an entire day, if not two, to truly experience all the beauty and wonder it has to offer! Other than trying to figure out which side to embark your adventure on, you have quite a few trails to hike and explore. The area around the Cliffs of Moher is home to numerous bird species, including the adorable Puffin. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise.
I spent quite a few moments gazing onto the lush grazing field landscapes before truly experiencing the coastal side of the Cliffs. There was just something so simple, pure and amazing about the calmness in the white clouded sky that was still bright, shining onto the vivid green grass and carefree looking cattle with their golden and amber coats glistening in the sunlight.
These photos are some of my favorites from this trip, and of all the photographs I’ve ever taken! They instantly take me back to that day and moment in time, to those feelings of happiness, of peace, of wanderlust and joy….of bliss!
Cliffs of Moher will forever be special to me, and I’m certain that is the same for whoever finds themselves gazing out on their breathtaking beauty.
It’s one of those moments that still makes me feel grateful I decided to go for something I wanted, that I took that chance and traveled somewhere I’ve always dreamed of — creating memories that will forever be a part of my heart and soul. This will forever be one of my favorite experiences and places I’ve been to.
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