A series on Great Irish Landmarks by Hannah Huxley

For the March instalment of this landmark series, we move west down the north coast from Dunluce Castle to what are known to many as the eighth wonder of the world, the Cliffs of Moher. Located along the west coast of Ireland, the cliffs are close to the neighbouring village of Liscannor in County Clare.

To many on the island of Ireland, the rugged cliffs are seen simply as another breath-taking landmark which we are lucky enough to call our own, but what is not known is the unique and fascinating history behind these iconic cliffs.
The Cliffs of Moher have been a staple on international screens since at least the 1970s; the cliff’s panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic landscape have been a magnet to Hollywood film producers for decades with films including Leap Year (2010),

Into the West (1992), Ryan’s Daughter (1970), The Princess Bride (1987) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009). While there are no prizes for guessing what enticed Hollywood to the cliffs, the character of Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sums up the aura of the cliffs perfectly, “This place has known magic”.

The magic which Dumbledore speaks of is what has inspired storytellers and poets on the island of Ireland for hundreds of years; Irish literature is steeped in a rich store of myths and legends that add vibrancy to the rugged cliffs and salty ocean air. Among the many myths is that of The Leap of the Foals.

Continue reading in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Annual