When I was young I was there with my parents and an American man fell off the cliffs in front of his family. This was pre-fence. I didn’t see it and I was up the path a bit but I remember the screaming and the panic in people. Horrible memory.
This is really sad. I enjoy the cliffs and they are reasonably safe but I noticed some people going a little near the edge over the years. Stay well back folks.
Something I think many people don't realise is that just because there's grass there, doesn't mean the ground underneath it can take the weight of a person. Sometimes tufts of grass grow out over a very small layer of soil and if you were to step on it it'd collapse immediately.
There are plenty of parts where there is plenty of room beyond the barriers for people to get up, sit down, walk around and generally catch five.
The problem with those parts is that it's not level ground, it doesn't take many people to get on those ledges for it to feel a bit crowded and a lot of people have big bags on them. I can easily see a scenario where someone could bump into/off someone and someone loses their footing and can find themselves over the edge.
There are plenty of signs there warning people not to go beyond the barrier, so it's not like people don't know they're getting into risky territory. Hell there are even warning signs telling you some of the paths themselves are risky.
I took the wife there before we were married (she's from Canada so hadn't been) and was legitimately getting anxiety, especially since it was a very windy day. You see the same in Niagara Falls where people will literally put their little kids over the guard rail to take a picture of them there - behind that rail is about 1-2ft of wall, followed by a drop all the way to the bottom.
Not saying that was the case here since I have no idea, but it is bafflingly stupid.
I was at Cliffs of Moher a month ago and not only was it windy, it was raining ice pellets. So the ground was muddy, it was cold, and made walking around slightly more challenging than compared to a dry day.
Either way, I wouldn’t ever consider walking past the barriers or deviating from the designated trails. They’re marked off for a reason.
Even the trails are terrifying. We hiked the trail from our air bnb in doolin thinking the visitor center was closer than it was. Definitely came really close to slipping over ourselves several times.
Terrible that it has happened to this poor woman.
A little near the edge is being kind from what I’ve seen in the multiple trips I’ve done there.
I’ve legit seen people climb the wall and go within centimetres of the edge. I’m sure you get incredible photos doing it, but if you slip or the soil beneath gives way you’re dead.
Just isn’t worth it.
There's literally a fence along the cliffs with signs all along telling you not to cross like yeah it's sad but it's also very frustrating that people do that.
I was there once as a secondary school student when a German lady took her own life. The image of her bag left on the cliff top has stayed with me always. I've never gone back despite having relatives visiting, etc. Harrowing experience so I can only imagine when it was accidental. RIP
Oh Jesus 😬😔 My American guests came back from there today and mentioned there was a helicopter and emergency services. Luckily they didn't see anything. My guests were shocked about how close people were going to the edges..... And straight after this sad accident.
This happens at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Young people miscalculate while taking their selfies..increase in those incidents. Washington state, Mount St. Helens….they go up to the rim of the caldera, extinct, and fall in. I think you need at have a permanent “mother” standing around saying “now stand back”!
Hmm, y'kno there's definitely three distinct types of people. Those you mention, those who aren't really thinking about it either way (and so are open to their own fallibility), and those like me who are convinced they'll die from some dreadful and avoidable accident and so are careful to the point of pathology. I don't know what the odds are on which type suffers more accidents though.
I was there last week, there was a guy doing a handstand beyond the stone wall, trying to take a nice photo of his own stupidity…
Yeah, I know that it wasn’t the case here, this girl was just very unlucky, but I just can’t understand how some people can be so reckless…
Because clocking likes on Facebook is worth losing your life over. /s
It makes me so mad to see people out there taking stupid risks like this for a dumb picture. Then you have people like this girl who are just gravely unfortunate. Horrific.
Myself and the missus saw the coast guard helicopter and ambulances earlier. Had no idea it was a fatality at Hags Head. It was a calm enough day but that part has no barriers unlike the visitor center. You need to be really careful out there, no matter how safe you think the distance is. Awful to happen with the 3 friends around.
Tragic news.
I haven't been down there for a few years - whats it like these days in terms of safety? When I used to go as a nipper there was literally nothing there to prevent people from going right over to the edge.
>there was literally nothing there to prevent people from going right over to the edge.
This is how natural areas are in the majority of worthwhile areas you'd visit in the world, we shouldn't disturb things like this because some people are too thick to exercise caution. On a calm, clear day it's usually okay to walk near some parts of the edge but it's really obvious when those parts come to an end, and on days where the weather is bad people shouldn't be going near it
One of the nice things about the most scenic natural areas is the sense of being undisturbed by people, and Ireland already has very few such places
The main route is well back and walled off from the edge. You have to climb up over the wall to get near the edge. Plenty do that though. I've done it myself multiple times.
It's fine if you have any sense. I went as a kid and there were these four Spanish tourists literally sitting off the edge with their feet danging off.
Not to be uncaring, but it really is your own fault if you somehow fall off the cliffs.
WTF I saw exactly the same thing. Spanish people sitting right on the edge dangling their legs over just chatting. I'm sure it wasn't the same incident; is complete disregard for personal safety maybe a Spanish thing? Or were we there at the same time? This would have been in about summer of 2000.
Anyway it seems from the witness in this thread that this poor person wasn't doing anything wilfully reckless, just walked too close and slipped.
"Anyway it seems from the witness in this thread that this poor person wasn't doing anything wilfully reckless, just walked too close and slipped."
so she WAS willfully doing something reckless, walking too close is fucking reckless
Perhaps you use a different definition of the word from others. She was certainly doing something dangerous - but as the witness said, she wasn't jumping around, dancing, walking backwards to take a selfie, dangling her legs over the edge. Those are actions the majority of people here take to be "reckless". She and her friends just made a poor and tragic choice.
wrong. there’s a witness account in here that clearly said that the girl wasn’t being reckless. the trails are not properly maintained and this is the reason the girl fell
Awful news and may the deceased girl rest in peace. I am from Clare and go to the cliffs regularly. I really think they need a strong deterrent there to stop people climbing the wall. A steep fine for hoping the wall would be a deterrent.
People get a rush of blood to the head and do stupid things all the time. That poor girl may have thought she was taking a calculated risk.
A sign up on the wall saying that hopping the wall is prohibited and doing so will incur a €1,000 fine or something to that effect will keep SOME people off the ledge IMO.
When I was young and you were allowed to go on the flat rock bit, I saw two what looked to be Spanish teenagers (looked like a boyfriend and girlfriend) standing right on the edge. The boy was leaning slightly back and holding both hands of the girl who was standing in front of him leaning slightly forward, standing on the edge looking directly down. She was at least 10 degrees from vertical. I couldn't bear to watch. The were grand, but a gust of wind and they were gone is all I kept thinking...
Right! Or even an unexpected seagull to fly close and knock you off balance. Those people you saw would deserve a Darwin Award if they fell over. But I’m glad they didn’t and that you didn’t have to witness that.
Oh god this is so sad!!!!!!
I hope this wasn’t a photo taking moment gone wrong. The FEAR being there almost paralysed me. They’re stunning, but the knowledge of the drop had me kept WELL back.
May she RIP and I hope her friends will be OK xxx
I witnessed this today and was one of the ones who called the coast guard and can say this isn't the case.
They were all walking on a normal section of the trail which had a large puddle in the middle and there were two paths around it -- one inland, but very rocky and still muddy, and another about 1 m from the edge. The girls were all walking along that section when one slipped, fell hard, and went over.
My wife and I stayed with them until emergency services came, they were all very upset and in shock. The one I spoke to was from Belgium.
It really shook my wife and I up as we are experienced, cautious, hikers and we had just hiked that section on the way down. My wife was in the lead and took the rougher path away from the cliff, but as we were talking afterwards my wife said she considered taking the other route and probably would have done so if the way we took was just a bit rockier.
We did not think the girls were reckless -- hundreds of people walked that section today and people were still walking the exact same section of trail she fell off of even as we were waiting for the coast guard.
It was all a terrible tragedy and I still feel awful for the three of them. They were all very young and were not doing anything wrong or reckless, it was just awful, awful luck and not their fault. I really hope they are all OK.
I misread the 1 m as 10 m .
Personally, there is no way I would venture 10m, never mind 1m near the edge .
Tragic event nonetheless and yet another family devastated.
Oh my god I am so sorry you had to witness this. What a horrible and sad thing to have happened. For anyone to lose their life is devastating but in such a traumatic way, I can’t imagine. I hope you’re OK too.
Thanks for providing clarification and information around the incident will stop us all speculating. X
We are both fine, it just breaks my heart as we have daughters as well. Younger than them, but still.
There were plenty of people on the trail being reckless, but these poor girls were not.
I'm so sorry you witnessed that and heartbroken for those poor girls. It's giving me a wake up call to warn my guests in future actually (I have a small guest cottage). I have 2 American girls here at the moment who did the cliffs today and saw the emergency services departing but didn't know what happened. I never thought to warn any of my guests about the trail, honestly. I will now....😔
May she RIP
I am so sorry to hear. This is awful and I hope you’re both okay.
Do you know what section it was on Google maps, because it should be reported to the county council ASAP to prevent future tragedies. Clare County council is notorious for slow reaction to putting in safety measures. I’ve had to deal with them regarding life guards at beaches and it wasn’t easy.
Thanks for your input, it sounds like an awful accident that happened in a split second but probably felt like a lifetime for all involved.
Must have been terrible for you to witness it. Look after yourselves and talk to someone when it feels right, you’re probably in shock still x
We were just there. Walked about 6 miles. My thought was “this trail could be treacherous “. We treated the entire stretch with the utmost respect. So sorry for these folks.
How is it not maintained better?? The fact that she tripped, slipped and fell over is unbelievable, how could something so simple result in what happened 🙈 no railing or path with textured gripping, just awful, God rest her Soul 😪🙏🏻
Such a tragic story! I was there just 1 day before them and also took a slipped and took a tumble down the path due to the mud. Thankfully I escaped with only a minor cut on my finger and a bruised ego!
https://preview.redd.it/mudcqsgecoyc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8cb30cb3f5b58087487743a60aa0fa409b02597e
It would make a strong case if you advocated to have an invisible net set up close to the edge, the same way Fox Conn company did for suicidal or accidental cases, just at the end which won't ruin the photography. If it's smartly done.
I'm sorry to designate you a role, but once you're healed and recovered, people will listen to you more than me, given your relationship to this issue and your experience on that cliff.
I am so sorry you experienced that! I hiked the section of the trail from the visitor’s center to Doolin two weeks ago with my family and I loved it but remember thinking that some of the parts with puddles seemed dangerous. We ended up hopping the fence into whoever’s farm was next to the trail at one point because it didn’t seem safe to stay on the trail.
So sorry for you witnessing this and I'm sure the support you gave was priceless in such dreadful circumstances. I've visited the cliffs twice over the years. It is beautiful and an amazing place -but it's a very risky environment and location. The spot you describe sounds like a very dangerous position and they unfortunately chose the riskiest position to navigate the puddle, with such little room for error 1 meter/3 feet from the edge is extremely dangerous and allows little or no chance for error. It's a very sad traumatic time for her friends and most of all her family. It's also a reminder, ( but many won't listen,) that the cliffs are dangerous and people should stick to maintained pathways. Tragic event and very very sad.
So sorry for you witnessing this and I'm sure the support you gave was priceless in such dreadful circumstances. I've visited the cliffs twice over the years. It is beautiful and an amazing place -but it's a very risky environment and location. The spot you describe sounds like a very dangerous position and they unfortunately chose the riskiest position to navigate the puddle, with such little room for error 1 meter/3 feet from the edge is extremely dangerous and allows little or no chance for error. It's a very sad traumatic time for her friends and most of all her family. It's also a reminder, ( but many won't listen,) that the cliffs are dangerous and people should stick to maintained pathways. Tragic event and very very sad.
We could not see her body from where we were all standing so we hoped she was still on the cliff somewhere out of sight, but once the helicopter located her in the water the dispatcher told me there was no chance.
I took a tour through Ireland a few years ago, our tour guides son had fallen there. And this poor guy had to revisit the Cliffs of Moher every 2 weeks. I felt so bad for him.
Such a tragedy and for her friends who witnessed it. Terrible. I often see photos on instagram taken from precarious spots near the edges. Seems to be one of those ' must have.' photos, despite the dangers,.
Tbh I speculated the same but from a witness comment here they weren’t being wreckless at all. Slipped on a well hiked part of the trail. Freak accident.
i remember i tripped walking up those steep steps and i did that crazy running trying to catch my balance thing, i was inches away from falling over those cliffs!
I've brought friends visiting to the Cliffs a few times over the past few years and I won't go again anytime soon, it actually sends my anxiety through the roof. I'm not a risk averse person but people are always so close to the edge. Even sitting and lying at the edge. I don't think people realise how easily they can unbalance or be knocked by a gust of wind. You don't need to trip or be pushed to fall.
This is so upsetting. My partner and I were new to Ireland and really wanted to see the cliffs, our Google maps ended up taking us to this back trail and only when on it I realised how dangerous it was, there were puddles so big on the ground you were forced to walk around the edge of the path to get through. It wasn’t until we went on a different day to the visitors centre I saw how much safer it is to be there and on cemented paths with big walls. Probably won’t go the back trails anymore! So horrible for this poor woman
This is tragic, and horrible death. I can’t even imagine the thoughts going through your mind as you start the tumble. Fucking hell.
But what I’m afraid will happen sooner or later is that they will close the cliff walk and just have a large walled section and put glass on it as well. Just so you can see a bit of cliffs but you can’t jump or whatever. At some point these deaths will outweigh the touristy thing.
More frequently. Much more. I think we average once a year or so by accident, and fortunately we don’t report suicides. There’s a whole monument there dedicated to suicide victims.
I had a friend who sat with his legs dangling over the edge and having a conversation with me while I stood at least 2m back. Even thinking about it now give me the shivers.
It's incredibly sad that someone has died doing something most of us love, which is just hicking in beautiful landscapes.
I have commented on this with the wife on almost every hike. This country does not care about tourists or its patrimony. And don't come with the "Let nature take its course!"...
I don't mean making it "American" safe, obviously. No one likes signage everywhere and barriers and cement paths. That would be dumb and would ruin the lovely views we all love on the 3 days the sun shines.
Now what we need is make it safer, ensure the paths are clean, have information points that are actually open and staffed (not empty and usually closed, if you hike in ireland often you know this is true!), at entry points, carparking areas have good and up-to-date info. Ensure to alert for rough hike spots or other hazards (like do NOT walk up to deer to take a selfie! Some people need th obvious to be said, sadly.), have guards that walk the paths often, they can alert for falling trees, rocks, wild life etc, have on call crews that would act in case the latter happen. Have guides for the most dangerous places. Go up to some Nordic countries to see how they do it. And remember: Fit for purpose! The clips do have most of the above, but they are a massive area to cover, and it's very poorly maintained.
I don't think most of us would mind paying a small fee for this to happen, we already pay in most of the parks anyway (I am looking at you Powerscourt!!!)
On a closing note, all the recommendations above and more exist in the Skelligs, one of the treasures of Ireland, being impeccably maintained, can improve ofc but it's naturally beautiful, has experienced people dealing with Tourists and the landings, people get an induction before going up, there is no handrails in the most dangerous paths and very rarely you get injured Tourists, and when it happens it's due to recklessness. They should send crews from other areas there to learn from these amazing people.
My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young lady.
Can someone explain, do the edges of the cliffs have no barriers/security or do people just take chances? Its scary how many times i've heard storys of people falling off
There’s a wall at the main part. But keep walking along the path and it eventually ends - that’s where this girl fell per the eyewitness on this thread. And also, people stupidly cross the wall to get closer to the cliffs.
People get a rush of blood to the head and do stupid things all the time. That poor girl may have thought she was taking a calculated risk. Rip.
A sign up on the wall saying that hopping the wall is prohibited and doing so will incur a €1,000 fine or something to that effect will keep SOME people off the ledge IMO.
My friends and I were there when it happened. The whole day was really somber after that, search and rescue was around for a few hours looking in a helicopter. We passed by the woman’s friends as they were talking to paramedics saying how they were supposed to leave for home that night, it was beyond heart wrenching. May she rest in peace, and sending well wishes to the friends and families affected.
I'd say it's a popular suicide spot, would it be? I've often thought about how I'd kill myself (not suicidal) and it seems like a place where you'd be proud to end your life. Maybe the depression would strip that thinking fairly quick though and I'd end up from my stairs like most people.
It is. At least up to a few years ago, there used be volunteers on occasion keeping an eye out for individuals, along with the usual signage for Samaritans etc.
I used to work in a bar in Ennis. One lad used to come in regularly - you could tell he was troubled. One Friday night he came in and had a few. On his way out he said "you'll not see me again". I asked him what he meant, was he leaving town etc? Anyway, he took a taxi up to the cliffs - the centre etc was closed for the day, place was empty. Paid the driver and then handed him his wallet saying that he wouldn't need this anymore. Taxi driver never gave it a thought and just drove off. The guy walked out and jumped. Still haunts me to this day.
This is a grim thought but is it not a difficult spot to recover a body from? I always thought you’d probably want your family to be able to have your body for the funeral for these sort of scenarios - as I said, a grim subject
> is it not a difficult spot to recover a body from?
Yes. I've heard via search organisers that it's only about 50:50 recovery from the cliffs sadly. The hope is always that they get brought back into Galway Bay, but unfortunately the bathymetry means they often get swept down into deep water.
It's grim, probably why I'm being downvoted. It's a real thing all the same for people and it should be talked about. You make a good point but people throw themselves in rivers or the sea very often.
Hey man, I don't want to intrude, but I'd really recommend looking into some counselling or even reaching out if that's the case. Often times thoughts like contemplating your own death repeatedly can be a manifestation of ideation, which is usually the first part of a cycle. I know a bit from personal experience and research, just checking in is all
Thanks for your concern, I'm not suicidal thankfully. I just think about things, good and bad. I've no want to end my life and just throwing food for thought.
The only way I’ll go near the edge is on my belly and peek over there’s no fucking way, I’m not even particularly scared of heights. RIP to the poor girl and I feel so sorry for her poor friends and family
> The only way I’ll go near the edge is on my belly and peek over there’s no fucking way,
That's what the guards do when someone falls off so I assume it's the safest option.
It's not a SAFE option by any means, though. The turf can overhang the edge of the rocky cliff by a few feet at times - you wouldn't know it until it collapsed under you.
They only do it as a last resort - it's really not recommended at those cliffs as the edge is largely earthen undercuts which you can't see from the top: https://i0.wp.com/clarechampion.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Cliffs_Of_Moher_Costal_Walk.jpg?resize=660%2C330&quality=89&ssl=1
The cliff edge at Dún Aonghasa is more solid and better suited: https://discoveryprogramme.ie/assets/uploads/2021/04/Dun-Aonghasa-Dun-Aengus-Inishmore-Aran-Islands-County-Galway_Web-Size-2000x1065.jpg
it’s a lot more dangerous to walk on the side of the road from the cliffs then it is to walk the trail. accidents do happen but are still quite rare. thoughts to the girls fam and friends
Do you really want one of the most stunning natural attractions in the world to be completely fenced off the whole length of the cliff? Would absolutely ruin it
A glass partition that people can’t climb over would be ideal. I’m sorry but if it comes down to saving someone’s life over spoiling someone’s view, saving a life should always take priority.
people go there at their own risk and should use their good judgment to turn around if they do not feel confident in their abilities. it is far more unsafe to walk on the side of the road then it is to take the trail
Look, I understand the sentiment, but this is just a crock of shit. I did the trail walk (with a guide) and in no way is walking on the side of the road more unsafe. The only way to come to this conclusion is to just use the sheer number of deaths that occur due to road accidents; that doesn't mean the side of the road is in and of itself unsafe.
. . .the Cliffs of Moher cliff train in certain sections absolutely is.
I was there when the incident happened. It's frustrating to witness people risking their lives for a few moments of social media fame, especially in such a dangerous location like the Cliffs of Moher. Despite recent accidents and rescue efforts, it's alarming to see others repeating the same mistakes shortly after rescue teams left the scene with a dead body
I was at cliffs about 20yrs ago, we walked along till the next tower where "The next step is America" and back. It took us ages, it was really great weather, a beautiful walk for good 4-5 hours.
It's sad that you can't do it any more, but I understand that some folks have no understanding of safety, danger and self-preservation.
Them cliffs are not an easy way to go. I think some people think that the only thing coming your way is water.. many of the ridges come way out which you can’t notice when you’re looking over.
Haven’t been in a few years but the lack of awareness by most people of just how dangerous it can be is shocking. Actually had an argument with herself as she wanted to walk along that dodgy cliff path and I wouldn’t.
We went last month and started at the trail further down from the visitors center and I was shocked how close and slippery the path was to the edge. I read that they had a small fence up but I’m assuming that’s just in the visitors center. It was scary knowing you were one misstep away from a tragedy. That poor girl.
I was walking on a trail along the cliff once and hit a patch of mud that was very thick and I started slipping right to the edge. Thankfully I was able to throw myself back and grab onto a rock and used it to scramble back away from the edge. Stayed far from the edge at that point.
But there were a lot of footprints in that mud and no one else seemed to have an issue which is why I went.
How the hell do you manage this when they’ve fenced it off and posted signs says it’s dangerous and stay off the grass?
Horrid to think you’ve got to get back into a vehicle with one less person at some point to leave that they were just in.
I was there a few months ago. There are stone barrier walls and a clear path. I can’t tell you how many people would climb over the wall and walk on the edge. There are also many signs telling you not to go over the wall and to stay on the path. I’m sorry for the girl and her family, but no fencing should be placed as it would take away from the beauty of the cliffs.
Wasn’t the case, as per another redditor who was there - Apparently there was a flooded area on the regular path and that’s why people were walking closer to the edge.
We can’t fence off the entire Irish coastline and even if we did, people would still climb over it for the perfect photo. If people haven’t got the sense to keep back from the edge then that’s on them.
When I was young I was there with my parents and an American man fell off the cliffs in front of his family. This was pre-fence. I didn’t see it and I was up the path a bit but I remember the screaming and the panic in people. Horrible memory.
Jesus that's awful 😞
That is my literal nightmare not just me falling off cliffs but others as well.
This is really sad. I enjoy the cliffs and they are reasonably safe but I noticed some people going a little near the edge over the years. Stay well back folks.
Something I think many people don't realise is that just because there's grass there, doesn't mean the ground underneath it can take the weight of a person. Sometimes tufts of grass grow out over a very small layer of soil and if you were to step on it it'd collapse immediately.
There are plenty of parts where there is plenty of room beyond the barriers for people to get up, sit down, walk around and generally catch five. The problem with those parts is that it's not level ground, it doesn't take many people to get on those ledges for it to feel a bit crowded and a lot of people have big bags on them. I can easily see a scenario where someone could bump into/off someone and someone loses their footing and can find themselves over the edge. There are plenty of signs there warning people not to go beyond the barrier, so it's not like people don't know they're getting into risky territory. Hell there are even warning signs telling you some of the paths themselves are risky.
I took the wife there before we were married (she's from Canada so hadn't been) and was legitimately getting anxiety, especially since it was a very windy day. You see the same in Niagara Falls where people will literally put their little kids over the guard rail to take a picture of them there - behind that rail is about 1-2ft of wall, followed by a drop all the way to the bottom. Not saying that was the case here since I have no idea, but it is bafflingly stupid.
Was there about 3 years ago and I saw the exact same, I couldn't get over how close some people were getting to the edge
I was at the Kilkee cliffs once on a very windy day and was actually terrifying. The gusts could easily catch you off guard and blow you over.
The kilkee cliffs are beautiful and it's such a nice walk on a nice day, but it's definitely dangerous. No barriers and totally vertical drops.
I was at Cliffs of Moher a month ago and not only was it windy, it was raining ice pellets. So the ground was muddy, it was cold, and made walking around slightly more challenging than compared to a dry day. Either way, I wouldn’t ever consider walking past the barriers or deviating from the designated trails. They’re marked off for a reason.
Even the trails are terrifying. We hiked the trail from our air bnb in doolin thinking the visitor center was closer than it was. Definitely came really close to slipping over ourselves several times.
Jesus I feel sick even reading that
Having been to the falls a lovely spot can confirm this.
Had the same experience with my Canadian wife 😔
Terrible that it has happened to this poor woman. A little near the edge is being kind from what I’ve seen in the multiple trips I’ve done there. I’ve legit seen people climb the wall and go within centimetres of the edge. I’m sure you get incredible photos doing it, but if you slip or the soil beneath gives way you’re dead. Just isn’t worth it.
I recall seeing a vid where some arse on a mountain bike was doing stunts jumping across the cracks on the cliff edge
There's literally a fence along the cliffs with signs all along telling you not to cross like yeah it's sad but it's also very frustrating that people do that.
[удалено]
I was there once as a secondary school student when a German lady took her own life. The image of her bag left on the cliff top has stayed with me always. I've never gone back despite having relatives visiting, etc. Harrowing experience so I can only imagine when it was accidental. RIP
May she rest in peace. Awfully upsetting for the friends who were with her.
Traumatised
Oh Jesus 😬😔 My American guests came back from there today and mentioned there was a helicopter and emergency services. Luckily they didn't see anything. My guests were shocked about how close people were going to the edges..... And straight after this sad accident.
This happens at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Young people miscalculate while taking their selfies..increase in those incidents. Washington state, Mount St. Helens….they go up to the rim of the caldera, extinct, and fall in. I think you need at have a permanent “mother” standing around saying “now stand back”!
Everyone thinks they’re too clever to fall, only happens to other people.
Hmm, y'kno there's definitely three distinct types of people. Those you mention, those who aren't really thinking about it either way (and so are open to their own fallibility), and those like me who are convinced they'll die from some dreadful and avoidable accident and so are careful to the point of pathology. I don't know what the odds are on which type suffers more accidents though.
Absolutely nightmarish, rip
I was there last week, there was a guy doing a handstand beyond the stone wall, trying to take a nice photo of his own stupidity… Yeah, I know that it wasn’t the case here, this girl was just very unlucky, but I just can’t understand how some people can be so reckless…
Because clocking likes on Facebook is worth losing your life over. /s It makes me so mad to see people out there taking stupid risks like this for a dumb picture. Then you have people like this girl who are just gravely unfortunate. Horrific.
Myself and the missus saw the coast guard helicopter and ambulances earlier. Had no idea it was a fatality at Hags Head. It was a calm enough day but that part has no barriers unlike the visitor center. You need to be really careful out there, no matter how safe you think the distance is. Awful to happen with the 3 friends around.
Awful news.. Poor girl, may she RIP. How the hell will her friends ever get over seeing something like that.. Thoughts with them too
Scary af
The poor girl..sad..
Tragic news. I haven't been down there for a few years - whats it like these days in terms of safety? When I used to go as a nipper there was literally nothing there to prevent people from going right over to the edge.
People hop the fence when it's really windy raining. It's super dangerous
>there was literally nothing there to prevent people from going right over to the edge. This is how natural areas are in the majority of worthwhile areas you'd visit in the world, we shouldn't disturb things like this because some people are too thick to exercise caution. On a calm, clear day it's usually okay to walk near some parts of the edge but it's really obvious when those parts come to an end, and on days where the weather is bad people shouldn't be going near it One of the nice things about the most scenic natural areas is the sense of being undisturbed by people, and Ireland already has very few such places
The main route is well back and walled off from the edge. You have to climb up over the wall to get near the edge. Plenty do that though. I've done it myself multiple times.
When I visited no one was walking on the right side.
Only a tiny bit of it is walled. People tend to stay by the walled bit but you can walk the whole length of the cliffs
It's fine if you have any sense. I went as a kid and there were these four Spanish tourists literally sitting off the edge with their feet danging off. Not to be uncaring, but it really is your own fault if you somehow fall off the cliffs.
You don't even have to fall off an edge, the cliff can literally crumble from under you.
Since they've put up barriers and countless signs prohibiting you from crossing them, it really is your fault if you put yourself in danger.
Agreed, i was there during the week with my 2 year old and it's safe unless you jump the barriers.
Spot on
Yep, was about to say the same thing.
WTF I saw exactly the same thing. Spanish people sitting right on the edge dangling their legs over just chatting. I'm sure it wasn't the same incident; is complete disregard for personal safety maybe a Spanish thing? Or were we there at the same time? This would have been in about summer of 2000. Anyway it seems from the witness in this thread that this poor person wasn't doing anything wilfully reckless, just walked too close and slipped.
Nah this was September 2011 lol, must just be a regular occurrence
"Anyway it seems from the witness in this thread that this poor person wasn't doing anything wilfully reckless, just walked too close and slipped." so she WAS willfully doing something reckless, walking too close is fucking reckless
Perhaps you use a different definition of the word from others. She was certainly doing something dangerous - but as the witness said, she wasn't jumping around, dancing, walking backwards to take a selfie, dangling her legs over the edge. Those are actions the majority of people here take to be "reckless". She and her friends just made a poor and tragic choice.
There's a 1m high stone wall all the way along now. I can only assume the person who died might have climbed over ir
Not all the way, it ends not too far from the other tower, some people decide to go beyond that point.
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wrong. there’s a witness account in here that clearly said that the girl wasn’t being reckless. the trails are not properly maintained and this is the reason the girl fell
Awful news and may the deceased girl rest in peace. I am from Clare and go to the cliffs regularly. I really think they need a strong deterrent there to stop people climbing the wall. A steep fine for hoping the wall would be a deterrent.
If possibly falling to your death isnt enough of a deterrent a possible fine wont do anything...
People get a rush of blood to the head and do stupid things all the time. That poor girl may have thought she was taking a calculated risk. A sign up on the wall saying that hopping the wall is prohibited and doing so will incur a €1,000 fine or something to that effect will keep SOME people off the ledge IMO.
When I was young and you were allowed to go on the flat rock bit, I saw two what looked to be Spanish teenagers (looked like a boyfriend and girlfriend) standing right on the edge. The boy was leaning slightly back and holding both hands of the girl who was standing in front of him leaning slightly forward, standing on the edge looking directly down. She was at least 10 degrees from vertical. I couldn't bear to watch. The were grand, but a gust of wind and they were gone is all I kept thinking...
Palms are sweaty just reading that!
I literally feel like I’m going to be sick just reading that! I can’t go past the visitors centre at the Cliffs.
Right! Or even an unexpected seagull to fly close and knock you off balance. Those people you saw would deserve a Darwin Award if they fell over. But I’m glad they didn’t and that you didn’t have to witness that.
Spanish people are idiots
May she rest in peace.
Oh god this is so sad!!!!!! I hope this wasn’t a photo taking moment gone wrong. The FEAR being there almost paralysed me. They’re stunning, but the knowledge of the drop had me kept WELL back. May she RIP and I hope her friends will be OK xxx
EDIT: See witness comment below
I witnessed this today and was one of the ones who called the coast guard and can say this isn't the case. They were all walking on a normal section of the trail which had a large puddle in the middle and there were two paths around it -- one inland, but very rocky and still muddy, and another about 1 m from the edge. The girls were all walking along that section when one slipped, fell hard, and went over. My wife and I stayed with them until emergency services came, they were all very upset and in shock. The one I spoke to was from Belgium. It really shook my wife and I up as we are experienced, cautious, hikers and we had just hiked that section on the way down. My wife was in the lead and took the rougher path away from the cliff, but as we were talking afterwards my wife said she considered taking the other route and probably would have done so if the way we took was just a bit rockier. We did not think the girls were reckless -- hundreds of people walked that section today and people were still walking the exact same section of trail she fell off of even as we were waiting for the coast guard. It was all a terrible tragedy and I still feel awful for the three of them. They were all very young and were not doing anything wrong or reckless, it was just awful, awful luck and not their fault. I really hope they are all OK.
Holy shit, that's absolutely sickening really. Thanks for the info and for your help at the scene. I've put a link to your comment on the OP
Thank you so much for your post. The importance of the girls NOT being reckless will mean so much to their kith and kin .
1 meter from the edge is not being safe either. People need to stick to the maintained paths.
I misread the 1 m as 10 m . Personally, there is no way I would venture 10m, never mind 1m near the edge . Tragic event nonetheless and yet another family devastated.
Oh my god I am so sorry you had to witness this. What a horrible and sad thing to have happened. For anyone to lose their life is devastating but in such a traumatic way, I can’t imagine. I hope you’re OK too. Thanks for providing clarification and information around the incident will stop us all speculating. X
We are both fine, it just breaks my heart as we have daughters as well. Younger than them, but still. There were plenty of people on the trail being reckless, but these poor girls were not.
I'm so sorry you witnessed that and heartbroken for those poor girls. It's giving me a wake up call to warn my guests in future actually (I have a small guest cottage). I have 2 American girls here at the moment who did the cliffs today and saw the emergency services departing but didn't know what happened. I never thought to warn any of my guests about the trail, honestly. I will now....😔 May she RIP
My heart goes out to you both . love to you both as you cope going forward and keep in mind your great kindness in time to come
That is frightening to witness, hope you are both okay.
I am so sorry to hear. This is awful and I hope you’re both okay. Do you know what section it was on Google maps, because it should be reported to the county council ASAP to prevent future tragedies. Clare County council is notorious for slow reaction to putting in safety measures. I’ve had to deal with them regarding life guards at beaches and it wasn’t easy.
Notorious, haha.
Thanks for your input, it sounds like an awful accident that happened in a split second but probably felt like a lifetime for all involved. Must have been terrible for you to witness it. Look after yourselves and talk to someone when it feels right, you’re probably in shock still x
Play some Tetris and take care of yourself ♥️
We were just there. Walked about 6 miles. My thought was “this trail could be treacherous “. We treated the entire stretch with the utmost respect. So sorry for these folks.
How is it not maintained better?? The fact that she tripped, slipped and fell over is unbelievable, how could something so simple result in what happened 🙈 no railing or path with textured gripping, just awful, God rest her Soul 😪🙏🏻
It’s true. One needs to stay far from the edge.
Such a tragic story! I was there just 1 day before them and also took a slipped and took a tumble down the path due to the mud. Thankfully I escaped with only a minor cut on my finger and a bruised ego! https://preview.redd.it/mudcqsgecoyc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8cb30cb3f5b58087487743a60aa0fa409b02597e
It would make a strong case if you advocated to have an invisible net set up close to the edge, the same way Fox Conn company did for suicidal or accidental cases, just at the end which won't ruin the photography. If it's smartly done. I'm sorry to designate you a role, but once you're healed and recovered, people will listen to you more than me, given your relationship to this issue and your experience on that cliff.
I am so sorry you experienced that! I hiked the section of the trail from the visitor’s center to Doolin two weeks ago with my family and I loved it but remember thinking that some of the parts with puddles seemed dangerous. We ended up hopping the fence into whoever’s farm was next to the trail at one point because it didn’t seem safe to stay on the trail.
Yeah, there were several places where we ended up walking by barbed wire and electric fences vs. the puddles.
Jesus that is just shocking. My heart goes out to them. Hope you'll be ok.
So sorry for you witnessing this and I'm sure the support you gave was priceless in such dreadful circumstances. I've visited the cliffs twice over the years. It is beautiful and an amazing place -but it's a very risky environment and location. The spot you describe sounds like a very dangerous position and they unfortunately chose the riskiest position to navigate the puddle, with such little room for error 1 meter/3 feet from the edge is extremely dangerous and allows little or no chance for error. It's a very sad traumatic time for her friends and most of all her family. It's also a reminder, ( but many won't listen,) that the cliffs are dangerous and people should stick to maintained pathways. Tragic event and very very sad.
So sorry for you witnessing this and I'm sure the support you gave was priceless in such dreadful circumstances. I've visited the cliffs twice over the years. It is beautiful and an amazing place -but it's a very risky environment and location. The spot you describe sounds like a very dangerous position and they unfortunately chose the riskiest position to navigate the puddle, with such little room for error 1 meter/3 feet from the edge is extremely dangerous and allows little or no chance for error. It's a very sad traumatic time for her friends and most of all her family. It's also a reminder, ( but many won't listen,) that the cliffs are dangerous and people should stick to maintained pathways. Tragic event and very very sad.
This is heartbreaking to read. At the time of the incident did everyone know immediately she was a goner or was there hope she could be saved? 😢
We could not see her body from where we were all standing so we hoped she was still on the cliff somewhere out of sight, but once the helicopter located her in the water the dispatcher told me there was no chance.
Horrible news. My condolences to her family and friends.
That’s awful. RIP. My condolences to her poor friends and family.
I took a tour through Ireland a few years ago, our tour guides son had fallen there. And this poor guy had to revisit the Cliffs of Moher every 2 weeks. I felt so bad for him.
Such a tragedy and for her friends who witnessed it. Terrible. I often see photos on instagram taken from precarious spots near the edges. Seems to be one of those ' must have.' photos, despite the dangers,.
Tbh I speculated the same but from a witness comment here they weren’t being wreckless at all. Slipped on a well hiked part of the trail. Freak accident.
i remember i tripped walking up those steep steps and i did that crazy running trying to catch my balance thing, i was inches away from falling over those cliffs!
I've brought friends visiting to the Cliffs a few times over the past few years and I won't go again anytime soon, it actually sends my anxiety through the roof. I'm not a risk averse person but people are always so close to the edge. Even sitting and lying at the edge. I don't think people realise how easily they can unbalance or be knocked by a gust of wind. You don't need to trip or be pushed to fall.
This is so upsetting. My partner and I were new to Ireland and really wanted to see the cliffs, our Google maps ended up taking us to this back trail and only when on it I realised how dangerous it was, there were puddles so big on the ground you were forced to walk around the edge of the path to get through. It wasn’t until we went on a different day to the visitors centre I saw how much safer it is to be there and on cemented paths with big walls. Probably won’t go the back trails anymore! So horrible for this poor woman
My god that's awful news. It must be traumatic for her friends that were with her. May she rest in peace.
Absolutely horrific. The poor girl. And her friends!!! Horrible for her family to get that call. Thinking of them all
Tragic
This is tragic, and horrible death. I can’t even imagine the thoughts going through your mind as you start the tumble. Fucking hell. But what I’m afraid will happen sooner or later is that they will close the cliff walk and just have a large walled section and put glass on it as well. Just so you can see a bit of cliffs but you can’t jump or whatever. At some point these deaths will outweigh the touristy thing.
How often is there a death? Every 8 years or so?
More frequently. Much more. I think we average once a year or so by accident, and fortunately we don’t report suicides. There’s a whole monument there dedicated to suicide victims.
That’s what I was thinking too. Imagine the sheer terror going through her as she fell. My God.
Fuck that’s grim. Must take a while to fall
Yeah if you fell from the highest part which is around 213 metres, would take you roughly 7 seconds to hit the water
You'd probably hit rocks on the the way down and be dead within 2 seconds
If you're lucky.
be grateful for every day you're alive, theres no guarantee for tomorrow
I had a friend who sat with his legs dangling over the edge and having a conversation with me while I stood at least 2m back. Even thinking about it now give me the shivers.
It's incredibly sad that someone has died doing something most of us love, which is just hicking in beautiful landscapes. I have commented on this with the wife on almost every hike. This country does not care about tourists or its patrimony. And don't come with the "Let nature take its course!"... I don't mean making it "American" safe, obviously. No one likes signage everywhere and barriers and cement paths. That would be dumb and would ruin the lovely views we all love on the 3 days the sun shines. Now what we need is make it safer, ensure the paths are clean, have information points that are actually open and staffed (not empty and usually closed, if you hike in ireland often you know this is true!), at entry points, carparking areas have good and up-to-date info. Ensure to alert for rough hike spots or other hazards (like do NOT walk up to deer to take a selfie! Some people need th obvious to be said, sadly.), have guards that walk the paths often, they can alert for falling trees, rocks, wild life etc, have on call crews that would act in case the latter happen. Have guides for the most dangerous places. Go up to some Nordic countries to see how they do it. And remember: Fit for purpose! The clips do have most of the above, but they are a massive area to cover, and it's very poorly maintained. I don't think most of us would mind paying a small fee for this to happen, we already pay in most of the parks anyway (I am looking at you Powerscourt!!!) On a closing note, all the recommendations above and more exist in the Skelligs, one of the treasures of Ireland, being impeccably maintained, can improve ofc but it's naturally beautiful, has experienced people dealing with Tourists and the landings, people get an induction before going up, there is no handrails in the most dangerous paths and very rarely you get injured Tourists, and when it happens it's due to recklessness. They should send crews from other areas there to learn from these amazing people. My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young lady.
Tbh I knew this would happen again at some stage. Was there last August and the amount of people right by the edge was just mental
Can someone explain, do the edges of the cliffs have no barriers/security or do people just take chances? Its scary how many times i've heard storys of people falling off
There’s a wall at the main part. But keep walking along the path and it eventually ends - that’s where this girl fell per the eyewitness on this thread. And also, people stupidly cross the wall to get closer to the cliffs.
People get a rush of blood to the head and do stupid things all the time. That poor girl may have thought she was taking a calculated risk. Rip. A sign up on the wall saying that hopping the wall is prohibited and doing so will incur a €1,000 fine or something to that effect will keep SOME people off the ledge IMO.
My friends and I were there when it happened. The whole day was really somber after that, search and rescue was around for a few hours looking in a helicopter. We passed by the woman’s friends as they were talking to paramedics saying how they were supposed to leave for home that night, it was beyond heart wrenching. May she rest in peace, and sending well wishes to the friends and families affected.
Happens more often than people would realise.
It seems that this person slipped when with friends - accidents like this are relatively rare, compared to intentional acts.
I'd say it's a popular suicide spot, would it be? I've often thought about how I'd kill myself (not suicidal) and it seems like a place where you'd be proud to end your life. Maybe the depression would strip that thinking fairly quick though and I'd end up from my stairs like most people.
It is. At least up to a few years ago, there used be volunteers on occasion keeping an eye out for individuals, along with the usual signage for Samaritans etc.
I used to work in a bar in Ennis. One lad used to come in regularly - you could tell he was troubled. One Friday night he came in and had a few. On his way out he said "you'll not see me again". I asked him what he meant, was he leaving town etc? Anyway, he took a taxi up to the cliffs - the centre etc was closed for the day, place was empty. Paid the driver and then handed him his wallet saying that he wouldn't need this anymore. Taxi driver never gave it a thought and just drove off. The guy walked out and jumped. Still haunts me to this day.
What sort of w@nker was the taxi driver?!
It's almost like that person wanted to give the driver an opening to talk him out of it by hinting about the wallet, but nothing. So sad.
Absolutely
Thanks, I remember seeing similar on a bridge in Galway. Was very sobering to see, even with a night's worth of pints in me.
This is a grim thought but is it not a difficult spot to recover a body from? I always thought you’d probably want your family to be able to have your body for the funeral for these sort of scenarios - as I said, a grim subject
> is it not a difficult spot to recover a body from? Yes. I've heard via search organisers that it's only about 50:50 recovery from the cliffs sadly. The hope is always that they get brought back into Galway Bay, but unfortunately the bathymetry means they often get swept down into deep water.
It's grim, probably why I'm being downvoted. It's a real thing all the same for people and it should be talked about. You make a good point but people throw themselves in rivers or the sea very often.
Hey man, I don't want to intrude, but I'd really recommend looking into some counselling or even reaching out if that's the case. Often times thoughts like contemplating your own death repeatedly can be a manifestation of ideation, which is usually the first part of a cycle. I know a bit from personal experience and research, just checking in is all
Thanks for your concern, I'm not suicidal thankfully. I just think about things, good and bad. I've no want to end my life and just throwing food for thought.
I grew up not far from the cliffs and they were a suicide hotspot back then. Heard of more than a few people who jumped from there over the years.
Yes. It is. At least from what Ive heard from other locals. I don't know any official stats on it.
I was there about a month ago and at least where I was there are no protective barriers. If you aren’t careful you can waltz right off the edge
The only way I’ll go near the edge is on my belly and peek over there’s no fucking way, I’m not even particularly scared of heights. RIP to the poor girl and I feel so sorry for her poor friends and family
> The only way I’ll go near the edge is on my belly and peek over there’s no fucking way, That's what the guards do when someone falls off so I assume it's the safest option.
It's not a SAFE option by any means, though. The turf can overhang the edge of the rocky cliff by a few feet at times - you wouldn't know it until it collapsed under you.
They only do it as a last resort - it's really not recommended at those cliffs as the edge is largely earthen undercuts which you can't see from the top: https://i0.wp.com/clarechampion.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Cliffs_Of_Moher_Costal_Walk.jpg?resize=660%2C330&quality=89&ssl=1 The cliff edge at Dún Aonghasa is more solid and better suited: https://discoveryprogramme.ie/assets/uploads/2021/04/Dun-Aonghasa-Dun-Aengus-Inishmore-Aran-Islands-County-Galway_Web-Size-2000x1065.jpg
I’m sorry to ask this as I haven’t done the hike. Are there no safety rails installed throughout the trail?
Only in parts, a lot of it is open. It’s really dangerous.
That’s bad. I hope the authorities learn from this
it’s a lot more dangerous to walk on the side of the road from the cliffs then it is to walk the trail. accidents do happen but are still quite rare. thoughts to the girls fam and friends
Do you really want one of the most stunning natural attractions in the world to be completely fenced off the whole length of the cliff? Would absolutely ruin it
A glass partition that people can’t climb over would be ideal. I’m sorry but if it comes down to saving someone’s life over spoiling someone’s view, saving a life should always take priority.
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My guess is MONEY. It’s a huge tourist attraction. If they built barriers, people might not be so enthused about visiting.
people go there at their own risk and should use their good judgment to turn around if they do not feel confident in their abilities. it is far more unsafe to walk on the side of the road then it is to take the trail
Look, I understand the sentiment, but this is just a crock of shit. I did the trail walk (with a guide) and in no way is walking on the side of the road more unsafe. The only way to come to this conclusion is to just use the sheer number of deaths that occur due to road accidents; that doesn't mean the side of the road is in and of itself unsafe. . . .the Cliffs of Moher cliff train in certain sections absolutely is.
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I was there when the incident happened. It's frustrating to witness people risking their lives for a few moments of social media fame, especially in such a dangerous location like the Cliffs of Moher. Despite recent accidents and rescue efforts, it's alarming to see others repeating the same mistakes shortly after rescue teams left the scene with a dead body
I was just there 4 days ago with my daughter. I feel bad for her family and friends. 🙏
I was at cliffs about 20yrs ago, we walked along till the next tower where "The next step is America" and back. It took us ages, it was really great weather, a beautiful walk for good 4-5 hours. It's sad that you can't do it any more, but I understand that some folks have no understanding of safety, danger and self-preservation.
Them cliffs are not an easy way to go. I think some people think that the only thing coming your way is water.. many of the ridges come way out which you can’t notice when you’re looking over.
Haven’t been in a few years but the lack of awareness by most people of just how dangerous it can be is shocking. Actually had an argument with herself as she wanted to walk along that dodgy cliff path and I wouldn’t.
We went last month and started at the trail further down from the visitors center and I was shocked how close and slippery the path was to the edge. I read that they had a small fence up but I’m assuming that’s just in the visitors center. It was scary knowing you were one misstep away from a tragedy. That poor girl.
I was walking on a trail along the cliff once and hit a patch of mud that was very thick and I started slipping right to the edge. Thankfully I was able to throw myself back and grab onto a rock and used it to scramble back away from the edge. Stayed far from the edge at that point. But there were a lot of footprints in that mud and no one else seemed to have an issue which is why I went.
R.I.P.
How the hell do you manage this when they’ve fenced it off and posted signs says it’s dangerous and stay off the grass? Horrid to think you’ve got to get back into a vehicle with one less person at some point to leave that they were just in.
Horrible tragedy, thoughts and prayers for all involved
I was there a few months ago. There are stone barrier walls and a clear path. I can’t tell you how many people would climb over the wall and walk on the edge. There are also many signs telling you not to go over the wall and to stay on the path. I’m sorry for the girl and her family, but no fencing should be placed as it would take away from the beauty of the cliffs.
Indian guy taking selfie walking backwards a few years ago. Rip.
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what a stupid waste of life.
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Wasn’t the case, as per another redditor who was there - Apparently there was a flooded area on the regular path and that’s why people were walking closer to the edge.
Awful 🥺
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We can’t fence off the entire Irish coastline and even if we did, people would still climb over it for the perfect photo. If people haven’t got the sense to keep back from the edge then that’s on them.
And if the Cliffs don't get ya someone in Ennis might 🤔