County Me!

Finally! A place that spells Clare properly! And it just so happens to be quite gorgeous (like me), so what's not to love?
Co. Clare is home to the Burren, one of the most beautifully stark landscapes you will ever come across. I will not delve into the full geological history, but the short version is this: whereas most of Ireland is shale, this particular area is limestone. Lots and lots of limestone secondary to how the glaciers moved many, many moons ago. Combine this with the impressive deforestation that occurred in Ireland's history (Ireland wins the prize for most deforested nation in Europe), and you are left with an incredibly unique and beautiful area. The Burren is located in the northwestern most corner of Co. Clare, but is still a large portion of the county. I took a "nature walk" (ended up being a 4-hr hike) on the Burren with a local guide to learn all about the flora, fauna, geology and archeology of the area. We went up Black Head, which is at the most northwesterly position of the Burren, on the coast. As we were climbing, you could look north and see Galway Bay coast line and parts of the Connemara. It was a fascinating 4 hours and I would highly recommend doing a walk with a guide if there is any interest at all.

After the Burren

walk, it was off to the Cliffs of Moher, Aillte an Mhothair, which lie at the southwestern edge of the Burren. Many guide books tell you it's pronounced moor/more, but if you listen to the Irish say it, they do put a very, very soft "h" in there. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most famous natural wonders and extend 214m straight up from the ocean at their highest point. They are home to nesting puffins (sadly had just migrated south for the season and thus I did not get to see them:( ), as well as multiple other species of birds all vying for the best nesting spots. One of the more shocking and arguably the saddest facts about the cliffs is how many people die here each year, whether by their own intention or by accident. Just a few weeks prior to my visit, the bodies of 2 Japanese tourists were found after they fell from the cliffs. It is estimated that 10-15 people die annually at the cliffs, though there does not appear to be an official record (at least not that I could find via Google). It gave me pause as I was walking along the cliffs and my heart stopped a few

times as I saw other visitors scoot closer and closer to the edge, all for a better or more dramatic picture. I'll stand over here, away from the edge, and live to see another day. Thanks.