flutterby1
Unregistered User
(8/7/03 4:08 pm)

Cliffs of Moher - is this safe...

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Ok we have all seen the pictures of people on their bellies looking over the edge. I have heard that you should take care when doing this since there can be strong winds and I have also heard that the cliffs still crumble into the ocean. I have thought about crawling out on my belly to do this, but how safe is this really? Is it true that the ground could crumble into the sea right below me? How many of you would honestly recommend crawling out to the edge?

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 50
(8/7/03 3:52 pm)

Re: Cliffs of Moher - is this safe...

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I personally would NEVER crawl out to the edge - They have signs all around telling you to stay in the Safe section.

If you are there on a windy day ( and most are, there) you will see what I mean. The wind can be enough to knock you back a step on a normal day. I can never understand those people who climb over the DANGER signs just to go to the edge.

If you do a search on Google, etc, there are always a number of people who either jump, or fall to their deaths there. To me it is such a senseless waste for someone to die or be injured when there are so many signs warning them of the danger of going past a particular point.

Sane
Unregistered User
(8/7/03 4:53 pm)

Cliffs

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I don't want to sound rude, but did you read your question after you wrote it? As Debbie says, of course it's dangerous and many people have lost their lives going out to the edge. It's lunacy, but I also believe lunatics should not be saved from themselves and should be allowed to take whatever risks they wish if it doesn't hurt someone else. When I hear of people disregarding common sense and well posted signs who meet their deaths, I feel sorry for their families, but not for them. For those who have disobeyed the signs and met their death, it is suicide, not accident.

Forgive me if this sounds cold. Just trying to drive in a point!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1687
(8/8/03 1:34 am)
 
Re: Cliffs of Moher - is this safe...

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Hi flutterby1,

The Cliffs of Moher are safe if you stay behind the barriers. There is a reason for them being there. I would never recommend that anyone go out to the edge. Of course any cliffs can be affected by erosion and fall into the sea. Chances are it won't happen but are you willing to take the risk? The cliffs are almost 700 feet high. No one can fall off and survive. I have been there on a day when the wind was so fierce it was blowing waves up over the cliffs. Use caution and common sense. Your views will be just fine from behind the barriers.

Michele

Carrie
Unregistered User
(8/8/03 3:18 am)

Not worth it

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I was at the cliffs of Moher the day before a woman fell and lost her life. I've also heard that it was possibly a suicide. When I was there I remember thinking to myself what a foolish thing it was to go out to the edge. The winds are VERY STRONG! One good gust and over you go. The views are fantastic from behind the barrier. There is really no reason to go to the ledge. It's not worth risking your life.

flutterby1
Unregistered User
(8/8/03 10:04 am)

Reply to Sane

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Thank you all for the information. I do now see how dangerous it can be. Thank you again for the info. I guess after reading all of your posts, I would have obviously seen the danger once I was there and could see it all in person.

Sane - You must think I am truly an idiot, and yes I did read my port after I wrote it. Trust me I am not as stupid as you seem to think I am. My question was coming from the point of view of someone who has never been to the Cliffs so I was just wondering if the winds were as strong as I have heard them rumored to be. I also was just unsure if there was any truth to the cliffs crumbling out from underneath your feet. You have to realize that some of us have not ever been to this place and want to just verify that the things we have heard are true or not. Again coming from someone who has not seen this place with her own 2 eyes yet, I have also read and heard many people say that it is not that windy and that the cliffs do not crumble - if I have never been there, how do I know who to believe?? I also must say that I was unaware that there were actual barriers up to show you that going to the edge is not safe. Yes I do see that if there are barriers then they must obviously be there for a reason, but never having been there I was up till now very unaware that there were barriers up. Through posting here and on other boards I have been recently been informed that barriers do exist at the cliffs. Just as you said in your post, I too do not mean to sound cold, but just thought you should realize where I was coming from in my question.

Sane
Unregistered User
(8/8/03 11:43 am)

Common Sense

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Nobody with common sense would think it safe to go to the edge of any cliff, whether it's the Cliffs of Moher or the Grand Canyon. How could it be a good idea? I never had been to the Cliffs before this summer, but as I knew it was a cliff with a huge drop, I knew that I would not be crawling out to the edge of it or any cliff. You don't have to have seen certain things before to know they aren't safe. As Michele has indicated, the views are superb from safe distances.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(8/8/03 1:15 pm)

traveling

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When we travel to foreign land, we are removed from our comfortable surrounding elements. Investigating unknown areas is limited by one's physical capabilities and the weather conditions (it can be dangerous (sprained ankles)on slippery rocks in the rain).
When we had visited Glendalough, we were informed that a week ago a woman had died by falling from a hillside. It seems she was looking for St. Kevin's ledge. All this is serious stuff and both logic and what we are realistically capable of doing will keep everyone safe.
Safe traveling to all
-gary

flutterby1
Unregistered User
(8/8/03 1:25 pm)
 
Reply

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Sane,

I must say I do not think it is appropriate for anyone on this board to put others down. I simply asked for help and opinions, I did not ask for you to make rude comments and put me down. I do not think it is your place to tell me that I must have some sort of lack of common sense. I'm glad you think it is common sense, but I must say you do not have the right to insult me and tell me this should have been common sense. from the answers I have gotten, I gather that there is also not any type of ledge below or railing, but I was previously unsure if there was a ledge below (that would be there to help prevent a further fall if you happened to loose your footing). That is also one of my reasons for posting to get that type of feedback from those who have been there and would know that type of thing. Again, there are valid reasons for someone to ask a question if they have never been to a certain place before. I do believe that is the whole point of this board - for people to come and ask questions since they are unsure because they have never been to Ireland before - those who have been there share their knowledge in a respectful and helpful way. Can't you just be respectful of everyone who posts and you have helpful information to share, then do so, but keep your insults to yourself. I do not think they are necessary.

I must say I do appreciate the honest opinions of the rest of you, but Sane your comments were rude. Others on this board have managed to give me assistance in a respectful way and for that I am truly grateful for their help.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1706
(8/11/03 6:28 pm)

Postings

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Hi flutterby1,

I'm sorry that you were offended by a posting here. Of course everyone has their own opinion and we get many differing ones on the forum. The forum is open to all and the only postings that I delete are those that are profane or are merely advertisements for something not related to Ireland.

I hope that you will feel free to post whatever else you want about your trip. I am always happy to help those planning trips to Ireland.

Michele

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1711
(8/12/03 12:32 am)

Great Photo

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Hi flutterby1,

I think this photo says it all: ben.dickey.com/Photos/eire1/cliffsm3.htm

I hate to think of how it was taken!

Michele

flutterby1
Unregistered User
(8/12/03 9:53 am)

reply

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I must say that picture does say it all. That did really creep me out and give me chills (not in a good way). With the help of others, I have made the obvious choice to NOT crawl up to the edge. I think that once I would have arrived at the cliffs, that this would have also become very obvious at that point in time.

Michelle,
Thanks you for your reply. I am not holding any grudges - I just wanted my feelings on the matter of respecting others in this forum to be known. I am still very thankful for all the good advice I have gotten here and will continue to post. I will also be sure to make a post after my trip and share with everyone how it was.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1713
(8/12/03 11:56 pm)

Forum Interaction

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Hi flutterby1,

I came across that photo quite by accident last night and thought it was appropriate. It really takes being there to appreciate the danger.

And I quite agree about making your feelings known if you don't like what someone else has said to you. That's what the interaction is for here. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I'm sure we will all enjoy hearing about your adventures in Ireland when you return. Especially your take on the cliffs!

Michele

Gulliver
Unregistered User
(8/13/03 6:37 pm)

Ireland trip

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Hi Flutterby 1,
If nothing else, Sane did make his/her point and maybe that was his/her intent. Yes, you are corrent, Sane's comments were a bit rude and could have been stated in a nicer manner.
We have been to the Cliffs twice. Once on a very rainy and windy day, about two years ago, and again this past June on a very nice and sunny day. On both days, we stood firmly behind the barriers and were able to take excellent pictures of the Cliffs, the puffins, etc.
I believe that some people jump the barriers for the thrill of it all and nothing more. Do walk up to the castle on the top of the hill and you will get some excellent pics.
Arrive early and stay in Doolin if possible, the night before, and then you will beat the hordes of tourists and buses that are always around. We did and as we were leaving everyone was first coming. It makes it much, much more pleasant.
Have a great time and if you do stay in Doolin visit McCanns for good pub grub and music.

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 289
(8/14/03 9:02 am)
Re
Re: Forum Interaction

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If I may add an old photo of mine to list of ridiculous "cliff hangers", try this link. Unfortunately, I didn't have my telephoto with me, but you get the "picture":

f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph...pg&.view=t

Bill

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 61
(8/14/03 9:42 am)

Re: Forum Interaction

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great photo Bill!

I actually think it makes a stronger statement, just as is. Showing the vast height of the cliff compared to the relatively tiny human. Too much zoom and you might have lost the impact.

Love the title too "ledge-idiot" . Well said!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1723
(8/14/03 10:35 pm)

Cliff Photos

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Hi Bill,

Great photo. Thanks for adding it to this topic. You have been rather quiet lately. You must be having a very busy summer. Hope it's going well. Any updates yet on your web site from your last trip? I want to see photos of "Skipper Bill" cruising down the Shannon.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 290
(8/18/03 9:15 am)

Re: Cliff Photos

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Hi Michele:

Yes, Summer is an incredibly busy time of year for me. In addition to my full time job, I also have lots of weddings and summer festivals that I play. Plus, I have this website I'm working on. It is getting close and I'll let you know when it's done. I have some serious cleaning up left to do, which if I don't do, the links will not make sense.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1737
(8/18/03 11:24 pm)

Re: Cliff Photos

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Hi Sir Bill,

Glad to hear all is going well. It sounds busy but fun. I'm sure you enjoy doing the gigs. Weddings must be extra special. I will look forward to seeing your new updated web site when it is ready. I'm sure the wait will be well worth it! Do you have another trip to Ireland in the works yet? If not I'm sure there are some ideas bubbling away on the back burner.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 291
(8/20/03 9:39 am)

Re: Cliff Photos

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Your Highness:

I have a brief trip planned during the Thanksgiving week and the Felicity is "forcing" me to go to Scotland and Wales in May. There is a chance that I will be doing a solo trip next Fall when Felicity joins a bunch of guitarists for a trip through Spain. I'm not much for tour groups and it might make for some interesting tales if I travel on my own.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1752
(8/20/03 10:52 pm)

Trip Ideas

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Hi Bill,

Thanks for the royal salutations. They always make me laugh. If you have never been to Scotland and Wales you are in for a treat. Tons of castles and mountains in Wales. Though every time I've been to Wales the weather was atrocious: snow, hail, storms, etc. The Isle of Skye in Scotland is especially lovely and there is a toilet near there you shouldn't miss. Well worth the price of admission! I won't spoil it with a description. Don't drive to Scotland from London. You will think you died and got stuck in an eternal traffic jam.

Now I have an idea for your solo trip next fall. You know how much we all love McCarthy's Bar? How about doing a trip in search of trad Irish music and the pitfalls of an American only finding country-western? A Yank in the land of leprechauns finds the 51st state. There hasn't been a book done on that to my knowledge. I'd read it!

Michele