Dramatic, unguarded cliffs on the wild Loop Head Peninsula — all the Atlantic drama of the Cliffs of Moher with a fraction of the crowds.
From the Loop Head Lighthouse car park, walk right (north) along the cliff edge for the best views of the Cliffs of Campoy. The cliffs are unguarded with no safety barriers — keep well back from the edge, especially in windy conditions. The ground can be very boggy, so sturdy footwear is essential.
Climb the 23-metre tower (74 steps) and step onto the balcony for panoramic views stretching from the Blasket Islands to the Twelve Pins in Connemara. The lightkeeper's cottage houses interactive exhibits on lighthouse life. Tours run seasonally, March to October. General admission €3 adults (children under 18 free), guided tower tour an additional €5.
Walk behind the lighthouse to find the huge white EIRE letters cut into the turf — one of 85 neutrality markers laid along the Irish coast during WWII. Nearby stands Diarmuid & Grainne's Rock (Lover's Leap), a dramatic sea stack with its own folklore tale.
Scan the waters from the clifftops for bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks, seals and even whales. The rock ledges and caves below are home to fulmars, kittiwakes and other seabirds. Loop Head is recognised as one of Europe's best locations for resident and migratory seabirds.
A short drive east from the lighthouse, these spectacular natural sea arches sit on the western side of Ross Bay near Kilbaha. Only one of the original three bridges remains, but it's a stunning sight — just a few hundred metres' walk from the car park.
The 50–90 km Loop Head Heritage Trail loops from Kilkee around the entire peninsula, taking in castles, beaches, cliffs and villages. Pick up the free audio guide for stories of shipwrecks, folklore and life on the Loop from local characters.
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