The Mysterious Legends and Myths that haunt Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher

Could the Tales of witches, corpse-eating eels, lost mystical cities, Celtic foals, and mermaids keep you away from this breathtaking experience in Ireland? 

The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland’s County Clare are one the most iconic tourist experiences people have in visiting the Emerald Island drenched with many stories that have been part of these majesties for centuries.  

What you may not know is that these tales are steeped with ancient Irish myths and traditions. 

It’s not surprising that a strange collection of tall stories surrounds the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs have inspired many legends, from mythical underwater cities to a witch who fell in love with Cu Chulainn. 

The Mermaid of Moher

A local man noticed a mermaid while fishing on the Cliffs of Moher. 

He started a conversation, but quickly set his eyes on her magical cloak. The man grabbed her cloak as they talked and ran back to his home. 

The mermaid, in need of the cloak so she could return to the ocean, followed the man to his home but was unable to find it as it had been well hidden. The mermaid had no other choice but to marry the man. They would have a daughter and son together. The mermaid, however, would not let go of her magic cloak. 

The man and his children never saw the mermaid again after she left the sea with her cloak. 

Legend of the Hag and Cu Chulainn 

Mal, a witch, fell in love with Cu Chulainn, formerly known as the Red Branch and the warrior band of Ulster’s High King. Cu Chulainn, unfortunately for the Hag did not reciprocate her love. Mal was not to be denied and began chasing Cuchulainn around Ireland. 

Cu Chulainn landed south of the Cliffs of Moher at the mouth of Shannon River. Cu Chulainn jumped to the island of Diarmuid’s and Grainne’s Rock. 

Mal kept chasing and was fortunately carried along by a gust as she leaped for the island. Cu Chulainn jumped back quickly and Mal, with a false confidence after the last leap, leaped once again, but fell short, without the wind’s help. Mal smashed into the rocks, and her blood stained the bay. Some people claim that Malbay is named after her. 

It was believed that the rocks, which are now called Hag’s Head and remain visible today, took on the profile of Mal. 

The Lost City of Kilstiffen

Cill Stuifin is also known as Kilstpheen. 

When the chieftain misplaced the golden key to open the castle’s doors, the city was submerged. According to legend, the city will remain underwater until the golden key is found. This has not yet happened. 

Others claim the key is in a lake at the top of a mountain. 

Some have claimed that the city is visible below the surface, while others claim it rises every 7 years. 

According to the legend, if anyone sees the city rising above water in seven years they will die. Many believe that the legend is based on the submerged forests, bogs, and reefs of Lisacannor Bay. 

The Eel that feeds on Corpses

The Cliffs of Moher is located in Kilmacreehy, which was named after an Irish called Saint Macreehy. 

Macreehy is said to have killed a large eel. It is believed that the eel swam into the cemetery beyond Liscannor and ate the corpses.  Macreehy killed the eel to protect his friends who had died. 

It is said that the two stones on the cliffs are the bed of the saint. They can only be seen at low tide. The carving of an eel on a Kimacreehy stone was visible for many generations, but it has recently faded. 

The Leap of the Foals

There are Celtic wild waves that break in near the Cliffs of Moher called Aill Na Searrach which means “Leap the Foals.” 

The introduction of Christianity in Ireland by Saint Patrick ended the dominance of Celtic practices. The pantheon, Tuatha de Danann, of Celtic gods, was angered by Christianity’s explosion, and as a protest, they transformed themselves into horses. The caves of Kilcornan were their refuge for many centuries. 

Seven foals finally emerged from the caverns, but the light was a shock to them after years of darkness. The foals galloped to the edge of the cliffs before falling. The spot where the fall happened is now known as Aill Na Searrach or The Cliff of the Follies.

What legends do you know about the Cliffs of Moher? Have you visited the actual cliffs? Your experiences can be added to our article! Would you mind commenting below?

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