Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher - entirely vertical cliffs, their edge abruptly falling away into a ceaselessly churning Atlantic.  They run for about 14kms - at the southern end they rise 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, and 8kms north they reach their maximum height of 214 metres.

The cliffs consist mainly of beds of Namurian shale and sandstone, with the oldest rocks being found at the bottom of the cliffs.  During the time of their formation between 313 and 326 million years ago, a river dumped sand, silt and clay into an ancient marine basin.  Over millions of years, the sediments collecting at the mouth of this ancient marine delta were compacted and lithified into the sedimentary strata preserved in the now-exposed cliffs.

Today the cliffs are subject to erosion by wave action, which undermines the base of support causing the cliff to collapse under its own weight.  This process creates a variety of coastal landforms characteristics of erosional coasts such as sea caves, sea stacks, and sea stumps.

On my trip I saw the Cliffs of Moher from the bottom, on a boat, cruising from the Aran Islands back to the mainland.  Unfortunately it was an overcast, slightly rainy day - so although the cliffs don’t necessarily look quite as stunning in my photos, in reality they are mighty impressive!!

O’Brien’s Tower is near where the cliffs are at their maximum height.  O’Brien’s Tower, a round stone tower, was built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien as an observation tower for the Victorian tourists that frequented the cliffs at the time.  It is said to have initially served as a tea house.

Branaunmore, a 67 metre high sea stack at the foot of the Cliffs of Moher below O’Brien’s Tower was once part of the cliffs, but coastal erosion gradually removed they layers of rock that joined it with the mainland.

Aran Islands - Inis Oirr

The rocky, wind-buffeted Aran Islands, off the coast of County Galway, have a desolate beauty. The Aran Islands are 3 isles, guarding the mouth of Galway Bay.  From west to east the islands are Inishmore (Inis Mor, the largest), Inishmaan (Inis Meain, the second largest) and Inisheer (Inis Oirr) is the smallest.  The roughly 1200 inhabitants primarily speak Irish and the islands belong to the Gaeltacht (any primarily Irish-speaking region).
On this trip I was only able to get to Inisheer - but even that little taste has me knowing I’d love to see more of the islands and definitely spend more time!

Inisheer is the smallest and most eastern of the three islands.  It has about 260 permanent residents in five small settlement areas.

The lighthouse on the island

St. Cavan’s Church (or St. Kevin’s Church) is a ruined church, built in the 10th century, at the location of the saint’s grave.  The entrance is now below ground level, as the church was nearly buried by drifting sands; it has now been excavated and is kept clear of sand by the islanders.

O’Brien’s Castle was built in the 14th or 15th century and in 1652 it was captured by Oliver Cromwell’s army during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.

Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main methods of getting around

The cargo vessel Plassey was shipwrecked off Inis Oirr on 8 March 1960, and has since been thrown above high tide mark on the island by strong Atlantic waves.  The ship features in the opening credits of the TV show Father Ted.

Galway

Galway is a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast, situated where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean.  While Galway is steeped in history the city also buzzes with a contemporary vibe.  Brightly painted pubs, live music, buskers and street theatre abound.  Its energy and creativity have seen it designated the European Capital of Culture in 2020.  I also loved this about Galway - residents are called Galwegians!

An earnest conversation takes place between Irish writer Oscar Wilde and Estonian writer Eduardo Vilde

Galway’s humble beginnings were as a tiny finishing village and it grew to be an important town in the 13th century, and in 1270 fortified walls were built around it.
The Spanish Arch is thought to be an extension of Galway’s medieval city walls, designed to protect ships while they unloaded goods.

St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland still in use.  Built in 1320, Christopher Columbus is believed to have worshipped here in 1477.  The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra (now in Turkey).  Although best known today as the patron saint of children or “Santa Claus”, during the Middle Ages he was more commonly revered as the patron saint of sailors.

The Augustinians came to Galway in about 1500, but it wasn’t until 1760 that they were able to establish a public church.  Then in 1855 the foundation stone of the present Gothic Church was laid, with the church taking four years to complete in its entirety.

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