The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most breathtaking sights, stretching for nearly five miles … sweeping views of crashing waves, soaring seabirds and endless shades of green and blue.
The Visitor Center is built right into the hillside, with a grass-covered roof that blends almost invisibly into the landscape. Inside are exhibits about the cliffs, wildlife and geology, along with cafés and shops featuring Irish-made goods. Outside, a row of small earth-sheltered structures offers local goods and amenities.
There’s a peaceful rhythm to life around the Cliffs — cows grazing lazily in green pastures, stone walls winding across the countryside and fresh Atlantic breezes drifting in from the sea.
Apparently, we still haven’t learned that Ireland cannot be rushed! 😂 Once again, the day got away from us, and we still had miles to go. Time to quit dilly-dallying and head for Waterville, where our rental house would become Adventure Headquarters for the next three weeks.
With five hours of driving ahead of us, we happily took a shortcut — the ferry across the Shannon from Killimer to Tarbert, saving us about 85 miles of driving.
Waterville quickly felt like the perfect place to call home. It’s a small, friendly village tucked between the mountains and the sea, with colorful shops, cozy pubs and familiar faces that make you feel welcome … like Shiela and Patrick at the local grocery store who helped us track down our house manager — they know everybody in town and now they know us.
There’s a lovely, unhurried rhythm here — morning walks along the water, a stop at the local shop and evenings at the pub where there always seems to be music and conversation. For the next three weeks, Waterville wouldn’t just be another stop on our journey — it would be our little Irish home.
The house had everything we needed — a cozy fireplace, a full kitchen, and, after a week on the road, the very welcome sight of a washer and dryer! With eight beds and three bathrooms, we had plenty of room to spread out — and a good thing, too, because we were expecting a few guests along the way.
Arriving in Waterville felt like the beginning of a whole new chapter of our Irish adventure. After a week of moving from place to place, we finally had the chance to slow down, settle in, and experience Ireland a little differently — not just as visitors passing through, but as temporary locals. For the next three weeks, Waterville would be our home base as we explored the villages, back roads, pubs, people, and everyday rhythms of life in Ireland.
Time to unpack the suitcases and see where the Irish roads take us next!
Jane in Spain 