High above Liscannor Bay, Moher Hill Open Farm offers another reason to stop in this part of County Clare. Here, children move from one enclosure to the next, linger by the animals and find plenty to play with when the wind turns chilly. The farm is especially well suited to a family outing on the road to the Cliffs of Moher, when you want to let the youngest members of the group set the pace.
The Canavan family opened the farm to the public in June 2000. Their aim was to bring visitors closer to animals, whether familiar species from the Irish countryside or animals native to other parts of the world. The first enclosures covered just over two hectares. Over the years, the farm expanded, welcomed new species and created play areas. In 2019, it was granted a zoo licence.
Something of the farm’s former life remains in the machinery displayed along the way. These tools offer another starting point for conversations with children. After looking at the animals, you can try to guess what a piece of equipment was used for or imagine the tasks that had to be repeated before mechanisation.
You move from farm animals to species that travelled a long way before being raised at these latitudes. The farm is home to llamas, emus and kunekune pigs, a breed native to New Zealand. It is an opportunity to notice differences in size, coat and movement. With an emu, for instance, you quickly see how much its gait changes when the bird is strolling along or begins to trot.
The farm offers the chance to feed certain animals within the designated setting. With younger children, the first pleasure is sometimes simply waiting to see which one comes closer. The experience changes with the seasons. Animals make the most of the outdoor enclosures in summer, while the farm provides shelters for the colder months.
After the enclosures, the fairy trail offers a child-friendly walk, with small details to spot along the way. The nine-hole mini golf course makes use of the terrain’s slopes and bends, incorporating Liscannor stone. The outdoor play areas provide a chance for a break without having to cut the visit short as soon as the children have finished their round of the animals.
Indoor spaces add flexibility to the visit. Toddlers have a suitable play area, while the indoor sandpit means the outing can continue through a shower. Depending on which areas are open, children can also enjoy a ball pool or go-karts. Once the sky clears, you can head back to the enclosures or return to the trail.
The farm and the cliffs can easily be combined in one day, provided you allow enough time for both. If the sky is clear, you can first enjoy the view over the Atlantic, then head to the farm when the children feel like being active. If clouds cling to the cliff tops, starting with the animals and indoor play areas gives visibility a chance to improve. You can also head back down to Liscannor harbour to see the bay from the shore after viewing it from above.
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Cliffs of Moher Road (R478), V95 XK00, Liscannor, County Clare, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
52.95739, -9.41842
Seasonal opening. In April, opening is announced for the Easter holidays and weekends. From May to September, the farm is open daily. In October, it is open at weekends and during the Halloween school holidays. Weekend hours displayed by the farm: Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.
In December, special opening for the Christmas village, by reservation. Usually closed from January to March. The official website gives contradictory information for November: confirm opening before travelling.
Check the opening hours and admission requirements before you leave, especially during peak season or on Irish public holidays.
Adult: €10. Senior: €9. Child aged 3 and over: €12. From 18 months to under 3 years: €9. Free for under-18-month-olds.
Mini golf: €2 per person in addition to admission, with a refundable €1 deposit for equipment. Special events may have their own prices.
