“How do I get to this part of the Cliffs of Moher safely. I don’t want to fall. LOL.”.
This is the message that hit my DMs this morning.
What accompanied it was a photo that was posted by an Irish travel account with a large following.
Anyone that’s been to the cliffs on a windy day will know how insanely blustery it can get.
I have received messages like this in the past, but only every once and a while. Over the last couple of months, however, this kind of message has skyrocketed to 11 or 12 per week.
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
People have died at the Cliffs of Moher
Last year, 26-year-old Anand Goel, a student from India, died tragically when he fell from the cliffs as he tried to take a selfie.
Yet people continue to risk their lives, and the lives of others, to take ‘the perfect travel photo’.
This is complete and utter fuc*ing madness.
Photo by Hillwalk Tours
Cop yourself on and respect the power of Mother Nature
The Cliffs of Moher are unguarded.
If you get too close to the edge and slip, you’re in serious trouble.
While 99.9% of people that visit behave appropriately, a small percentage have zero respect for the sheer power of the elements.
If you’re visiting the cliffs, be careful. Avoid getting too close to the edge and keep an eye on others.
This was a bit of a rant, but I genuinely get stressed when I read this kind of email, knowing that the sender is likely to take a stupid risk for an Instagram photo.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Aoife Moynihan
Sunday 7th of July 2019
I was shocked by how many people stood close to the edge for photos when I was there a couple of years ago. Frightening. Pure stupidity and ignorance.