The Best Cliffs in Ireland

Staggering cliffs with waves crashing below. Moody skies above. Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way…deserving of its nickname. The island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland) has some amazing cliffs. If you have the time, I suggest visiting them all! Driving around the coast is something we really enjoyed. But if you’re short on time and have to narrow it down, pick the one that’s right for you. We only visited a few of the more popular ones but definitely want to explore the others on a future visit.

Cliffs of Moher

Probably the most well-known for non-Irish folks. These cliffs have been a tourist destination for many years now. If you’re self-driving, there is a parking lot across the road from the visitor center. Alternatively, there are many bus tours operating from Galway and Dublin. These will make for longer days but are a good option if you don’t feel comfortable driving on the small winding roads of the Irish countryside.

There are ways to visit for free, but the cost is not outrageous in our opinion, therefore I won’t go into those. We recommend purchasing tickets online in advance as they are a few euros cheaper. We choose off-peak evening hours for an additional discount (8 euros/adult in 2025) and it was still fairly busy. Discounts for seniors and kids are available.  The online tickets include parking, access to the movie and interactive info center. The visitor center has some food options available, but they do close early sometimes. If you’re visiting in the 4p-close slot and are planning on eating, check the schedule first.

We visited in early September (2025) and found that some sections of the cliff walk are closed. There was still plenty to see, including O’Brien’s where you can go up for a different perspective. In the past, there were incidents of people falling over the edge (accidentally and on purpose). There are now large rock slates and a maintained walkway to keep everyone on the path. This does change the experience but safety first as they say.

Couple tips: It was WINDY…don’t try to use an umbrella, you’ll break it or hit someone walking by. Also, there are portions of the path that can be very slick and muddy…wear good shoes.

Another option is to visit via the Doolin Ferry. We loved this experience and will provide more details in a future post. This is your chance to see the cliffs from the water. The boat ride takes you along the rocks from Doolin Pier to Hag’s Head (weather dependent).

Kerry Cliffs

A little less popular, definitely less touristy and equally if not more beautiful than the Cliffs of Moher. Located on private land near Portmagee, the Kerry Cliffs are gorgeous. More drastic and jagged than its better-known big brother, these cliffs are a must do in my opinion.

The owner of this private farm has created a large parking lot with free toilets and a small snack shop. The hours vary and they may close if the weather is too bad. It was a 5 euro/adult in 2025 when we visited and is well worth it. You’ll pay at the booth and then walk up past a few furry friends on your way to the cliffs. You can go right or left. We suggest both but the incline to the left is no joke in the wind. Handrails are provided.

I don’t know if it was the sunshine and colors or the ruggedness that captivated me. It was super windy, but we stayed here for quite a long time watching the waves crash against the rocks and staring out at the Skellig Islands (which was the primary reason we stayed in Portmagee).

There are many more cliffs along the coast that we can’t wait to visit. Stay tuned for more details on our 23-day road trip around the Emerald Isle. In the meantime, head over to our Instagram page @mannings_on_the_move and check out our Ireland Highlights.