VIDEO SOURCE: DISCOVER IRELAND/YOUTUBE

THE CLIFFS OF MOHER

It takes a whole lot to be named a UNESCO Global Geopark – here's what earned the Cliffs of Moher pride of place.

When you make your pilgrimage to the Cliffs of Moher, you’re coming for one of two things: the staggering height of the rock face, and the even more staggering beauty of the views from the top. Soaring to 214m, the striated stone reaches its long fingers southward to counties Cork and Kerry beyond, with a keen eye from O'Brien's Tower even able to spot the Aran Islands to the north.

"Amazing and awe-inspiring... Makes you humble." - NJH-MB, TripAdvisor

As the sea spray fills the air with the invigorating freshness of the Wild Atlantic Way, it’s hard not to feel as though you’re braving the ocean from the prow of a magnificent ship. To make the most of the magic, nothing quite beats a wind-whipped trek across the clifftop, the edges peaking slightly upwards like the crests of the waves that roll endlessly below. Try the Doolin Cliff Walk: it leads you down the full length of the well-worn trail to the hugely informative Visitor Centre, set into the hillside like a hobbit house.

Of course, one of the most unique and precious aspects of the cliffs is the local wildlife that calls them home. Those with a love of bird-watching will be spoiled here: think countless sad-eyed puffins; elegantly dressed razorbills; chattering kittiwakes; and if you’re lucky, even an elusive peregrine falcon.

The best part is watching the wide variety of birds. The updrafts and downdrafts created by the cliffs make for intriguing aerobatics. Peter K, TripAdvisor

The surrounding landscape itself is a marvel of natural delights, with delicate sea campion, blushing sea pinks and wildflowers dotting the springy coastal grass around your feet. On a calm day, keep an eye out for any ripples in the water – breaching basking sharks and friendly dolphin pods are a common sight.

On an island of storytellers, it’s no surprise that one of the most dramatic landscapes comes with its fair share of folklore and fantasy. There’s the story of the fisherman who fell in love with a mermaid, only for her to leave him to return to the sea; the doomed Leap of the Foals, where the mythical Tuatha Dé Danann plunged over the cliffs’ edge; and even the lost, underwater city of Kilstiffen… Why not end your windswept day with a trip to a cosy pub, settle in for the evening and ask a local to regale you with tales by the light of a softly smoking turf fire? You won’t get much more atmospheric than that!