Cliffs of Moher

Late afternoon in County Clare, heading for the Cliffs of Moher!

On the spot, we found a huge parking lot, which obviously had to be paid for. As luck would have it, or perhaps simply because we arrived after 5pm, the barriers were up and the parking lot was free.

Just enough time to park the car, and we're inside the enclosure. I'm deliberately talking about an enclosure, because everything on site is designed to ensure that everyone, whatever their disability, can enjoy the site in the best possible conditions. A huge emphasis has been placed on accessibility. Toilets, souvenirs, welcome point, catering, shuttles... everything is there. We arrived just as everything was closing down.

Unlike the Cleggan cliffs, which have remained rather wild, everything here is very well developed. Huge staircases and tarmac paths take you from one end of the cliffs to the other. For the less athletic, you can take advantage of an electric shuttle service if you come during opening hours. Royal, isn't it?

As for us, the closer we get to the shore, the more fascinated we are by the cliffs. They're as high as they are steep, stretching as far as the eye can see. It's truly immense! We start our walk by heading for O'Brien's Tower, which can be seen towering in the distance.

How can I tell you how small it feels to be there? A few tourists are patiently waiting for the sunset. I'm one of them. We all watch with undisguised calm as the sun slowly descends to the horizon, hidden behind the clouds.

As an anecdote that makes me smile, it was here that I was able to exchange a few words with someone (Rosa, if you recognize yourself), who had me laughing out loud with a masterly "I knew you were a professional!" that still rings in my ears after I told her about Picamap. Without pretension... I'm not one, but it's always a pleasure to tell you about my outings and share my photos with you.

The ultimate reward after waiting for the clouds to dissipate: a magnificent sunset. The golden hour (the moment so eagerly awaited by photographers) gave us a magnificent view of the cliffs! To be honest, it was heartbreaking to leave.

To sum up, my first thought on arriving at the site was that it was ridiculous to charge to see stone, but I changed my mind when I discovered the facilities put in place so that everyone could enjoy the magic of the place. For me, this is one of the top 3 places we've visited in Ireland. As much for its beauty as for its accessibility.

A must-see!