One of Ireland's most photographed places, the Cliffs of Moher draw thousands of visitors to Clare's remote reaches every day of the year -- rain or shine. Rising to vertiginous heights 210m (689 ft.) above the Atlantic and stretching along about 8km (5 miles) of coastline, the cliffs are undeniably impressive. In bad weather, access to the cliffs is (understandably) limited, as the wind can blow very hard here and it's a long way down. When the weather is fine, there's a guardrail to offer you a small sense of security as you peek over the edge, although visitors treat it with startling disdain, climbing over it for a better view of the sheer drop. It's all well worth a visit, but be aware that in the high season, the crowds can rather spoil the effect.
Farther along the Clare Coast, Lahinch is an old-fashioned Victorian seaside resort, with a wide beach and long promenade curving along the horseshoe bay. Golfers will already know all they need to know about this town, as it's renowned for its golf course. Dubbed by fans the "St. Andrews of Ireland," it is the paradigm of Irish links golf and is ranked among the 50 best courses in the world by Golf magazine.
Nearby, the secluded fishing village of Doolin is the unofficial capital of Irish traditional music. Its quaint old pubs and restaurants ring with the sound of fiddle and accordion all year long. Doolin is also a departure point for the short boat trip to the beautiful and isolated Aran Islands.
The Clare Coast is dotted with seaside resorts with varying degrees of crowds and beauty, and the best include places such as Kilrush, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, and Ennistymon. This part of the county is a marvelous place to take amusing pictures of signs denoting the presence of tiny villages and beauty spots with quirky names like Puffing Hole, Intrinsic Bay, Chimney Hill, Elephant's Teeth, Mutton Island, and Lover's Leap.
