Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and Poulnabrone Dolmen - 30 April 2023

30 April 2023 - Cliffs of Moher, the Burren & Poulnabrone Dolmen

We might have had a chuckle about the Brits abroad hired van in front of us when we arrived yesterday. Let’s just say the van was rocking around a fair bit! We never did see who was in there, as when we left after lunch today the van was still all closed up!

We’ve been ‘treating’ ourselves to some downloaded programs on iPlayer - catching up with Race Across The World, and last night another episode of Blue Lights - very enjoyable!

Heard lots of rain, but don’t know if it carried on all night. So - sod’s law, we’re here, wanting to see the Cliffs of Moher - and today it was mainly in the cloud for a while! We’d already decided that what will be, will be - not hanging around for the weather, and will take each day as it comes…

The plan was to avoid the visitor centre, cycle, then walk from Guerin’s path, but when we arrived at 09.30 - the gate to it was padlocked…

So, we cycled to the visitor experience - and were told by a cyclist that everything was free as a cyclist, therefore saved at least €12 parking fee! Took a few iffy photos of photos in the ‘experience’ in case we couldn’t see anything! Watched The Ledge Experience, following a gannet as he flies along the cliffs, then dives underwater - only about 5 minutes - seemed quite a lot of infrastructure for an average film.

I like the fact that for years the Irish didn’t believe in safety fences, just natural selection! Since there have been numerous fatal accidents and suicides - they now hire rangers to keep you getting too close to the edge. Didn’t see them today - but saw people where I certainly wouldn’t go - tools!

O’Brien's Tower, built in 1835 marks the highest point of the cliffs. Didn’t bother increasing our view by 30 feet, as there were queues waiting to go inside. Allegedly we could see the Aran islands - we did briefly.

Have included some rubbish photos, just so you can see how little we could see. I suppose at least it wasn’t raining!

Spent a while watching the fulmars soaring around - they are so funny with their legs dangling behind them - very untidy!

Tintin zoomed in on all the guillemots and fulmars lined up on the narrow ledges.

I feel I have a form of Tourette’s when I see coach load after coach load of people arriving - seemed to be mainly French and German today, along with Americans and Spanish. They’re certainly not as friendly as the Irish! I do still worry a bit about Covid (neither of us have had it - yet!), and we keep our distance where possible.

Too many people, so decided to go elsewhere. By then Guerin’s gate was open, had a look, nothing special!

Rode towards Hag’s Head. Felt chuffed, as again people parking here were being charged to park, and off we whizzed!

Weather had improved, could actually see some of the cliffs!

Only 8 miles cycling, and about 9,000 steps - but was right decision to park up away from the hordes of people!

Me driving today, not that far - just as well - roads not the best! Drove past the visitor experience - mayhem! Carpark packed, even more coaches - what must it be like on a clear day in summer?!

We drove to Doolin - on the tourist map for its traditional music. I just wanted to see the colourful buildings! Drove to the end where you catch the ferry to the Aran Islands - it was absolutely packed, plus it was raining. Didn’t like the look of the caravan park either!

From here we followed some of Rick Steves’ driving suggestion to The Burren. It means rocky place - which it is.  It’s a 10 square mile limestone plateau.

Tintin managed to nab a photo of the 15th century Leamaneh Castle as we drove past.

Didn’t bother with the Caherconnell ring fort, or sheepherding demo - already seen similar on The Ring of Kerry!

We’re parked up at Poulnabrone Dolmen. The stone table is a portal tomb. Bones of 33 people were discovered here during an excavation in 1985, which were dated between 5,800 and 5,200 years ago. Click on the information boards to enlarge and read more…

It was very windy, and started to rain again. Bit amazing that there are clever people who can date things from nearly 6,000 years ago!

We parked up earlier today, as I needed to make up another batch of granola, and the last few days it’s been fairly late by the time we’ve found somewhere to park for the night. Would have had a long drive if this carpark had been full! Just have to leave early enough, as the big coaches come here too!