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IRELAND - CLIFFS OF MOHER, GALWAY & THE BURREN - (24/03/07 - 30/03/07)

The Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the Burren are included in this final page of photos from Ireland in March.

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The Cliffs of Moher near Doolin in County Clare are one of Ireland's top tourist attractions and amongst the highest cliffs in Europe. Millions have recently been spent on a new Visitors Centre built into the hillside approaching the cliffs along with safety features at the top of the cliffs. The safety measures unfortunately restrict the views of the cliffs but were considered necessary after several deaths from falls off the edge. There is an interactive Atlantic Exhibition at the Visitors Centre which provides more information about the cliffs concentrated in four themes: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man. The centre is open throughout the year with longer opening hours in the busy summer months and there are admission costs for the Atlantic Exhibition and car parking. Many coach trip organisers have day trips to the cliffs and there are regular bus links from major train stations in Limerick, Galway and Ennis.
A little to the north of the cliffs is the village of Doolin overlooked by Doonagore Castle, (left photo). Once a busy fishing village Doolin is widely known today as the capital of traditional Irish music with nightly live music sessions in its three pubs and the Micho Russell Festival Weekend held each year in February. The age of Doonagore Castle is not certain but many sources indicate it was built in the 14th century, it was restored in the 1970's after falling into disrepair and is now a private residence so is not open to visitors. Ferry services to the nearby Aran Islands launch from Doolin as well as Rossaveal and Galway.
Still on the west coast but further north of Doolin we visit Galway, the fastest growing city in Ireland with a population of 72,729. The diving tower shown in the centre photo above was at the nearby seaside resort of Salthill just to the west of the city. Galway is a good base for tourists with nightly entertainment in the city and accommodation as being close to many beauty spots including The Burren, Achill Island and Connermara.
South west of Galway the Black Head Lighthouse is part of the unique Burren landscape in County Clare. The Burren is the largest area of karstic limestone in Western Europe with an area of approximately 300 square kilometres. The area is of great interest to Botanists, Geologists and Archaeologists with megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses and the remains of Corcomroe Abbey.