Thinking of Proposing at the Cliffs of Moher? Here’s What Nobody Tells You
Over the last two or three years, as the photographer behind DoorusPhoto, based here on the west coast of Ireland, I’ve been asked more than once to photograph a wedding proposal at the Cliffs of Moher. And most of the time, I’ve talked the client out of it.
That probably sounds like a strange thing for a photographer to say: turning down the most famous cliffs in Ireland. So let me explain what nobody tells you before you plan the big moment there, and where I send couples instead.
Don’t get me wrong, the Cliffs are spectacular, and there’s a reason they’re the second most visited attraction in the country, after the Guinness Storehouse. But that popularity is exactly the problem. On average, around 4,400 people visit every day. In late spring and summer, when most people propose, it’s far busier still. That’s a lot of strangers to share the most private moment of your life with.
Here’s what I suggest instead. The Cliffs of Moher run for about fourteen kilometres along the Clare coast, and right at their southern tip sits a quieter, far more private spot called Hag’s Head.
Why Hag’s Head, and not the Cliffs of Moher proper
This little headland looks out over the Atlantic with the same sweeping views as the main platform, but with a fraction of the people. A fifteenth-century tower house stands watch over it, giving the whole place a wonderfully romantic feel, and it’s just a short walk from the nearest car park. In spring it comes alive with sea thrift, those little pink flowers that carpet the cliffs, and there are seabirds wheeling overhead. On the right day, it looks absolutely stunning.
There’s a small bonus, too. Propose at Hag’s Head instead of the main platform, and the two of you pocket the €24 you’d have paid in entrance fees to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. In 2026, that’s four pints of Guinness in a good West-of-Ireland pub. Not a bad way to toast a “yes.”
You'll see a couple of different days in the photos below. Hag's Head is stunning in bright sunshine, but honestly, a soft misty day gives you something even more special: moody, atmospheric, and completely your own.
How a surprise proposal shoot actually works
So how does it actually work? It’s simpler than you’d think. Get in touch and we’ll set up a phone or Zoom call to talk through the details. We’ll pick a time that suits you. Most couples go earlier in the day so the rest of it is free for celebrating, but if you’d love that golden evening light, we can plan around a sunset instead. On that call we’ll also agree on a signal for the moment you’re ready to propose, and I’ll talk you through exactly where to stand so everything looks and feels right. On the day, I’ll already be in position, at a distance with a long lens, so your partner has no idea I’m there. You propose, and I catch it all as it happens, every bit of the surprise and the joy. Once the moment has passed and the tears are sorted, we move into a relaxed set of portraits on the headland.
One practical note: most people already know the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, the spot you’ll find on Google Maps. Hag’s Head is just a ten-minute drive south from there, so wherever you’re staying, it’s easy to find. Everything else we can sort on the call.
Even on a rainy day
What a Cliffs of Moher proposal shoot costs
I believe in being straight with people, so here’s exactly what you get. A proposal session is €450. For that, I’ll be there on the spot, ready for the big moment, and I’ll capture it as it unfolds. Then we take our time with a relaxed thirty-minute engagement session at Hag’s Head, and if you’d like, I’ll come along to the pub too for a few more pictures over that first pint. The fee covers my time, all the photographs, and a secure, password-protected online gallery. From there, you can download every image in full resolution to keep, whenever you like.
Toasting the engagement in Doolin
There’s one more thing I love to do, and it might be my favourite part of the day. I bring couples to McDermott’s, a much-loved family-run pub in nearby Doolin that’s been pouring pints since 1887. It’s about as cosy and old-fashioned as an Irish pub gets, the kind of place you hope to stumble on during a trip like this. A quiet corner, a proper pint of Guinness each, and a moment to let it sink in that you’re engaged. The perfect full stop on the day.
Set on the main Cliffs? That works too
And look, if you’ve read all this and your heart is still set on the famous Cliffs of Moher, crowds and all, that’s grand too. Some couples love the buzz of the main viewpoint, and I’ve shot lovely proposals right there. Just say the word.
Or somewhere even more remote in the Burren
Or maybe Hag’s Head still isn’t private enough, and you’re dreaming of somewhere even more remote in the beautiful Burren. If so, let’s talk. As well as being a photographer, I’m a fully trained tour guide, and I know the west of Ireland inside out. Whether you’re picturing a quiet hilltop or an empty beach at first light, tell me your dream location and we’ll make it happen.
Questions couples ask me
Can you propose at the Cliffs of Moher?
Yes. The cliffs are on public land, so a proposal there is perfectly fine. Just be ready for company, the main viewpoint is busy most of the year. If you’d rather have the same views without the crowds, I usually point couples to Hag’s Head at the southern end.
Where’s a quieter alternative to the Cliffs of Moher for a proposal?
Hag’s Head, right at the southern tip of the cliffs. Same sweeping Atlantic views, a fraction of the people, and a fifteenth-century tower house for a backdrop. It’s a short walk from the car park and about a ten-minute drive south of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
Do I need permission or a licence to propose at Hag’s Head?
No. It’s open to the public and there’s no entrance fee. We just agree a time on our planning call and I make sure I’m in position before you arrive.
Ready to plan yours? Whether it's Hag's Head, the Cliffs themselves, or a quiet corner of the Burren all your own, I'd love to help you make it happen. Drop me an email or give me a call, tell me what you have in mind, and we'll take it from there. And don't leave it too long, the good dates in spring and summer tend to go early.