Tag Archives: County Clare

Destination, Photography, Travel

KILKEE & LOOP HEAD – COUNTY CLARE – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

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The road to Kilkee & Loop Head

On our eighth day we awoke again to another delicious Irish Breakfast at Sea Crest Farmhouse.  Angela Morrissey was a wonderful host.  The view from the farmhouse was wide open from its elevated position a short distance inland; Southeast from Quilty on the coast.

Google Maps

Traveling South from Quilty on N67 we crossed the Doonberg River via a stone arch bridge in Doonberg.  This was the first opportunity to stop, get out, and begin to burn some calories from breakfast; a mere 15 minutes from departing our B&B.  Photo opportunities are everywhere in Ireland.  There were a lovely pair of swans a swimming in the river when we arrived.

Kilkee

Kilkee, Loop Head’s main town, is built around a horseshoe bay with a kilometre of golden, blue-flag beach. Because of the Duggerna Reef (locally known as the Pollock Holes) stretching across its mouth, the bay is naturally sheltered from the Atlantic, and Kilkee beach is the safest in Clare.  Read more
–www.loophead.ie

Loop Head

Loop Head peninsula, has the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Shannon Estuary on the other, with barely a mile of land saving it from island status. – wikipedia

Bishop’s Island

The 6th century monastic settlement on Bishop’s Island gives the island its name. This unique seastack was separated from the mainland over the last thousand years.

Kilkee Cliffs

Bridges of Ross

The Bridges of Ross are located on the western side of Ross Bay near the village of Kilbaha.  Originally there were 3 sea stacks but only one remains.  You cannot see it from the road; it is a short walk from the car park.  The coastal views are spectacular.

Loop Head Peninsula Time Lapse

Loop Head Peninsula

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Destination, Photography, Travel

CLIFFS OF MOHER – COUNTY CLARE – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

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The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher, as noted by EMGN.com, are as one of the 12 most deadly tourist hot spots on the planet (#7) .  Their claim of no protection to prevent people from going over the edge isn’t completely accurate.  There is fencing now, however there had not been in the past.  The only way you’ll fall over the edge these days is if you are trying to or not being safe and adhering to posted warnings. One does not have to search far to read stories about such tragedy.

Tragedy happens at the Grand Canyon in the USA as well.  There is a book written by Thomas M. Meyers Over The Edge: Death in Grand Canyon, that documents every death in the Grand Canyon breaking down the casualties into categories.  I believe this is the book a friend told me about where it explains some sort of phenomena about becoming so overcome with awe at what you are seeing that you essentially pass out and fall over.  Not something you should do at the Grand Canyon or the Cliffs of Moher.

The Cliffs of Moher are truly a sight to Map of Cliffs of Moher areabehold.  My wife and I experienced plenty of awe that April evening.  With the visitor center closed there were not many people around.  All the tour buses had gone.  There were plenty of cars in the parking lot though and I didn’t even give that a second thought.

I wished I had researched the place better and known the exact spots where photographs are typically taken from.  This isn’t a place where you want to sprint to a place to catch the great light.  We did manage a lengthy hike; first to O’Brian’s Tower (orange), and then back South along Burren Way (red).

O’Brian’s Tower

The Cliffs

We were fortunate to have favorable weather and only a slight breeze.  Burren Way is a paved path around the visitor center and to O’Brian’s Tower, but not out along the cliff.  There is a pretty clear transition point where the path turns to hard packed dirt and/or crushed rock.  this is where you warning become even more prevalent. You are given notice that you are leaving the Cliffs of Moher grounds.  You notified of the extreme danger ahead.

advised of the extreme danger ahead

To offer a sense of scale, you can see a full-grown adult standing on top of the cliffs on the upper right in the image below.  Inconceivable! (*Cliffs of Insanity below)

Cliffs of Moher

*The Princess Bride (1987) (as the filming location for “The Cliffs of Insanity”)

 More photos of the cliffs

The Cliffs of Moher (Irish: Aillte an Mhothair) are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They rise 120 metres (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head, and, eight kilometres to the north, reach their maximum height of 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O’Brien’s Tower, which is a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs that was built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien.  – wikipedia

If sea cliffs are your thing, I would also recommend a trip to Slieve League.

Extra

Documentary (28 minutes)

Drone Footage

Cliffs of Moher Walk

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Destination, Photography, Travel

ROAD TO CLIFFS OF MOHER – COUNTY CLARE – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

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Road to Cliffs of Moher

We had another full day of travel.  After leaving Ballynahinch we drove back through Clifden and checked out the shops.  I was surprised to find Wrangle jeans for sale.  “Rain Ready” the tag read; for €79.95 ($85)!

White Strand

We meandered along the coastline and stopped at White Strand.  Although not far into our journey for the day, it was a great place to stop and stretch your legs; shrug off some of the gluttony from breakfast.   It appeared to be low tide and the vegetation and sand of the beach was ripe for exploration.  The most interesting thing I saw on the beach was the casts of blow lug worms.

Just south of Kilfea on R340 we came across some friendly critters.  Several donkeys were grazing to their heart’s content on tender greens along the roadside.   Photo opportunity!

We did very well with avoiding major cities throughout our travels by sticking to side roads, but there was no going around Galway; no way that wouldn’t add several hours to our travels.  It wasn’t long and we were out along the coast again.  We were, again, hoping for the sunset to cooperate at the Cliffs of Moher.  We arrived in the general vicinity early to look for a B&B as we didn’t make any previous  plans.  We easily found Sea Crest Farmhouse B&B close by and stopped by to take a look.  Satisfied and booked for an evening slumber, we unloaded the car and then departed for our late afternoon/evening adventure.  First up, dinner.

Vaughans Anchor Inn

It was invaluable having portable WiFi at all times.  It was a sinch to read reviews on restaurants.  We chose Vaughans Anchor Inn in Liscannor.  I always looked forward to a pint of Guinness after a long day of traveling.  You can see from the smile on my lovely wife’s face she did as well.  I really enjoyed that Ireland was all about the bread.  We had quite a few different varieties.  My inner-gourmand was very delighted.  The chef brought out a sample of his parsnip puree; it was divine.  Vaughn’s Fish and Chips consisted of Cod in a 9 year old (starter) batter,  Chips steamed then fried in Beef Drippings with Homemade Tartar Sauce and Pea Puree.  Wow!  Heart-healthy eating at its finest 🙂  One of the best fish and chips I experienced on our trip.

Next up…the Cliffs of Moher.

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