Renew vows at Cliffs of Moher

KevinO · Member

Renew vows at Cliffs of Moher

cavan97 · Member

Kevin,
The beach at Fanore just north of the cliffs on the coast road has stunning great sand dunes and will be quiet in September. As well, any of the stony outcrops along the same route to Blackhead with the ocean and the coast of Galway as a backdrop would be private and, weather permitting,truly awesome.
Jean

KevinO · Member

Thanks Jean,

Any advice on how to preview spots from a far? I need to start giving friends and relatives a good idea of where to meet up for it. Are there lots of public areas or is it mostly private land that I should get permission beforehand.

Kevin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

The Cliffs of Moher has a circus-like atmosphere for a lot of the year with a lot of people. Also, currently there is a big building project going on at the cliffs as they construct a new visitor's center.

My recommendation is Loop Head. There is a lighthouse, cliffs and a huge grassy headland that goes down into the ocean. It is a place that feels like the end of the earth. The land around the lighthouse is public. The nice thing about it is few people go there. I think it will be perfect if you have good weather. You might want to consider a rainy day option.

What do you mean by "preview spots from a far"?

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

I should mention that the keeper's cottage at the lighthouse can be rented.

Michele

KevinO · Member

preview from afar = pictures on the web

We're hoping that we'll "know it is the right place" when we see pictures. I'll look around the web for Loop Head. Thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

KevinO,

I always use Google Images. It is a great resource.

Michele

Irisheyes · Senior Member

Michele,
When do they anticipate the construction will be done at the Cliffs?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irisheyes,

I was by there last autumn and it was a mess near the entrance. I understand that once the center is finished they want to charge something like 8 to 10 euro per person to see the cliffs. I suppose that's progress for you. Check out this link for updates but take opening times with a grain of salt (after all it is Ireland): http://www.shannonheritage.com/Cliffs_of_Moher_NVC.htm

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I remember hearing about some place on the Dingle peninsula that has a standing stone with a hole in it, traditionally used to marry people or renew vows. Perhaps that would work? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I can't remember the name or where i heard about it :(

China Cat · Veteran Member

Green Dragon, I know I heard about hte same thing. I think it was in a trip report at Fodor's. And I'm pretty sure its at the Gallarus oratory. A search over on fodors travel talk would probably dig up the specific reference.

Irisheyes · Senior Member

I noted the info because we may do it!!!! Kilmalkedar Church - Osham Stone - Dingle. I think the info is from Rick Steves.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irisheyes & China Cat,

The holed ogham stone is at Kilmalkedar church not too far from Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle Peninsula.

Michele

China Cat · Veteran Member

Kevin,
another good resource for finding pictures of places is worldisround.com. Lots and lots of travel pictures there, sorted by location. You may not be able to find specific locations, or figure out meeting place from that, but it will give you an idea of what things look like.

Its a great site to whet your appetite anyways.

KevinO · Member

Michele, China Cat, Green Dragon, Irisheyes, Cavan97,

Thank you all for the advice so far. We have decided to not use Cliffs of Moher. We're still looking for the right spot. The light house and church aren't quite what we are looking for, but it is great to find out about other options. I'll check out the websites.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

For something really unusual try Skellig Michael.

Michele

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Dear Kevin,

I left a message for you tucked within my trip report, but I was just thinking maybe you won't see it there, so I'm putting it here too.

I think you could have a wonderful time renewing your vows at the Cliffs of Moher.

First, it's a spectacular place that gives you a big emotion about the size and magnificence and beauty of the world. (My guess is that this may have to do with why you thought of it in the first place, which I respect.)

Second, the people who are there are also having a big emotion about the same thing.

Third, many couples make the mistake of thinking marriage is for holding on to each other while dismissing or spurning the outside world. Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded by Eli Siegel, which I study, says just the opposite: The purpose of marriage (like the purpose of life itself) is to like the world. Whether we know it or not, we want our loved one to be a means of seeing more meaning in, having more respect for reality itself. Doesn't mean you like everything and everybody, but that you HOPE to care as much as you honestly can for people and things, as a means of caring for the world. Without knowing it, we can hope to care less for things and people because we feel this is the way to approve of ourselves. That is contempt. It never works, and always causes harm.

As you can see on my trip report, my wife and daughter and I arrived at the Cliffs of Moher on Easter Sunday, during a big 4-day Irish holiday weekend, and there were many, many people there. But we had a great time, and a big part of our enjoyment was others' enjoyment of it.

So, whatever you and your wife decide, I just wanted to add my feeling that you and your wife could really have a blast sharing the meaning of your vows with the multitudes.

Just a thought.

Best regards and congratulations,

Kevin Fennell

Mark · Veteran Member

Kevin,

Never mind the Cliffs or any of those other scenic places. I can't think of a more romantic place to renew your vows than in a pub. I'm sure your wife will agree with me. Just think you could go straight to your second reception without leaving the room. If you plan it right the barkeep could start pouring your first pint of Guinness while you're still working through the vows. Anyhow, good luck!

Mark

KevinO · Member

fennellkevin,

Thanks for the advice. We'll definitely be going to the Cliffs on the Day of the wedding and may do our vows there if I don't find exactly what I'm looking for elsewhere. The wife really wants to be outside and near a large body of water. I get what you're saying about sharing the joy with others even if I don't know their names. We just don't want to be drowned out by a circus atmosphere either (which I have sometimes heard the cliffs refered to as).

Mark,

A pub will definitely happen after the vows. Have any to recommend in the area?

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Mark · Veteran Member

KevinO wrote:

Mark, A pub will definitely happen after the vows. Have any to recommend in the area? Thanks for the advice, guys.

Good sound thinking.

Near the cliffs you've got the 3 pubs in Doolin or even better Linnane's and/or Vaughn's in Kilfenora.

Mark

Michele Erdvig · Host

KevinO,

How about standing atop a natural sea bridge with the water below you and all around? See the photo of The Bridges of Ross: http://www.loopheadclare.com/tourism-page.html It is wide enough for a lot of people to stand on. There shouldn't be many people there unless it is a weekend.

I like Linnane's Pub too.

Michele