Ireland in Retrospect: The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher September 21
This morning we got up bright and early, packed up our stuff, waited for Uma to check us out, and then started heading south. Well, we didn't get too far, because we had to stop in a nearby parking lot (they're actually called car parks in Ireland) so Justin could install the dash cam he bought. Once that was all set up, we drove straight too the Cliffs of Moher, which are about an hour south of Kinvara.
We were advised that, based on weather and crowds, this morning would be the best time to visit the cliffs. The weather was indeed beautiful, but it had rained the night before, and one could tell that rain was coming. When we got there the number of visitors was pretty low, so our timing was good.
The way the Cliffs of Moher is set up has certainly changed over the years. In the not so distant past, there was no visitor center, no fee, and no barriers. I can understand why locals would hate the way this lovely landscape has been altered for tourists. I also understand why they did it. They (those responsible for tourism I guess) built walks and steps and put up stone barriers to make experiencing the cliffs a safer one.
My first reaction when we walked up closely enough to get a good view of the cliffs was to catch my breath. The word "breathtaking" was perfectly accurate! What an incredibly beautiful sight! We walked up the left side first to view the cliffs. There was a point where the walk ended and the barriers stopped, and a sign that basically said you are leaving the "Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience" if you cross this threshold. Others had crossed it and walked much more closely to the edge of the cliff. As I mentioned earlier, it had rained. Maybe I was being overly cautious, but I decided that based on my footwear, the muddy ground, and my inherent clumsiness, that I didn't need to get any closer. The views were absolutely stunning from my vantage point.
[Side note: I would like to point out, while unpleasant, is the sign that dedicated an area of the cliffs to those who had lost their lives at the Cliffs of Moher. The saddest part is that most of the people who have died at the cliffs have done so on purpose. It is a popular spot for suicide. Maybe it's because people are so enthralled with the views, but it's often not even known that someone jumped until their abandoned car is found in the car park after closing, often with a note inside. I can't imagine the depths of despair one must feel to choose such a beautiful place to end it. How one can look out at these majestic cliffs and make that terrible, fateful choice is beyond my understanding. I am thankful for the counselors they now have on site. I don't know how many suicides are prevented, but maybe just knowing that someone cares is enough to make someone change their mind?]
After we viewed the cliffs from the left side, we noticed that rain was imminent, and decided to go into the visitor center for some coffee and breakfast. (Justin thought apple pie was an appropriate choice. I had a perfectly responsible breakfast pastry however.) It ended up pouring rain while we were in there, but we saw that it was going to be short lived, so we just chose to wait it out for a little bit. As expected, before too long we were able to go back out and walk up the right side of the cliffs.
By the time we finished with those views, it was after 11, and the visitors were en masse. I mean, the number of buses, the cars lined up to turn into the car park, and the people walking around was a bit staggering. I am so glad we came when we did! And I get why a local would be appalled at the number of tourists that visit these gorgeous cliffs each day.
Here are some pictures of the Cliffs of Moher that I took this morning:
Hey little fella! |
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