One of the world’s biggest tourist attractions just got even bigger. Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher recently welcomed over one million visitors, a record number for the destination. Percentage wise, it has also experienced an incredible uptick of 12.5% from last year, an indication that natural attractions are as popular as ever.
Standing tall at 702 feet (214 meters), and stretching an amazing 5 miles (8 kilometers), the Cliffs of Moher offer an expansive view along 5 miles that would impress even the most seasoned of travelers. It was named after a fort called Moher, which stood on Hag’s Head. The cliffs themselves are referred to in books by several authors, including Thomas Johnson Westropp and John Lloyd.
In 2011, the attraction also became part of Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, a smaller part of a bigger geo-tourism destination and movement throughout Europe called the European Geoparks Network. Several improvements have been made to the facilities for tourism sake, but the millions of dollars do not intrude on the historic landmark and what it stands for. In fact, there are several points on the length of the cliffs that are ideal for taking pictures. As a hotspot for tourists, it is no wonder that there are several premade slideshows of the area available online, as well as wallpapers for your computer screen.
Since it is one of the biggest attractions in Ireland, it is also the busiest. The only closing days are the 25-26th of December, and even then, the opening hours are so long that it only takes a little bit of careful planning to make a successful trip. For a good walkthrough of what to expect, the official website has several videos, pictures, and helpful hints for first timers. Those that are visiting from out of the country are encouraged to visit the site first in order to get an idea of where to start upon arrival.
Tourism is breaking record numbers this year, and it will only get better with wonders like the cliffs. Without taking anything away from the other popular landmarks in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher has crushed expectations. It was only bested by the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, a favorite worldwide of many adults. The best family attraction, on the other hand, went to the Dublin Zoo, which by no coincidence also broke the one million visitors mark for the first time.
