Tag Archives: Cliffs of Moher

A GROUP of Irish artists, filmmakers and others have expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza with a projection onto the Cliffs of Moher. Following the recent 11-day aerial bombardment of Gaza, in which over 240 people were killed, amongst them 68 children, and over 1,900 women, men and children seriously injured, a group of residents of County Clare and beyond began organising a visual message of care. Amongst the group that performed the projection on Tuesday evening, From Ireland With Love, are lighting technicians, event organisers, photographers, artists, filmmakers and humanitarian workers. Some of those involved have spent time in Gaza as documentary filmmakers and as volunteer First Responders on Palestinian ambulances. While watching the recent news from Gaza- footage of the bombing of residential homes and neighbourhoods, clinics and infrastructure- the group decided to organise a symbolic image of solidarity from Ireland. The image was conceptualised as an addition to existent human rights and political advocacy and humanitarian …

WEST and North Clare Councillors have called for major consultations with local communities, as plans for the Cliffs of Moher strategy document for the next 20 years is prepared. Introducing a motion to that effect at this week’s West Clare MD meeting, Councillor Joe Garrihy said, “We are approaching this from a really positive and proactive perspective, looking at this once-in-a-generation opportunity that’s here, particularly for the Ennistymon electoral area and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, and the local geopark in which the Cliffs of Moher is located. We’re here as conduits and a bridge from our communities and businesses that have been making representations to us.” The motion had called on the Council to insist on the inclusion of a pillar in the strategy that would “prioritise the sustainability, success, economic and regeneration of the local and host communities of the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geo Park and Ennistymon LEA within which the Cliffs of …

A RARE insight into the people who live and work in the Burren will be revealed in a series of 60 short films being launched by the Burren Ecotourism Network. The series entitled ‘The People of the Burren’ will give potential visitors a chance to experience the diverse history, geology, archaeology, food and music of the area through the unique perspective of the people who live there. As well as interviews, the films also showcase the stunning landscapes of the Burren. Over the next few months, the films will be released on a regular basis and will be available to view on the network’s social media channels and on Burren.ie. The video stories are part of an ongoing marketing campaign to encourage visitors to the area, once restrictions are lifted. “This campaign will be directed towards the domestic and Northern Irish Markets, both of whom we hope will be able to travel to Clare this summer,” said Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO …

CONCERNS are emerging in the North Clare area and among tourism businesses about a perceived low level of consultation regarding the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040. There are concerns among local business people and elected representatives that the early direction of the future plan is seeking to prioritise national tourism, without taking much account of local tourism operators or the local community. It is understood that there have been rather sharp discussions between members of the executive of Clare County Council and elected representatives on the matter. While it goes without saying that the Cliffs of Moher is a huge factor in Clare tourism, there has been a feeling that the county has not benefited from it to anything like the extent it should in recent years, with many of the visitors coming on bus tours and only spending a very short time in this county. Some concerned parties this week also told the Clare Champion that the early direction …

AT A time when thousands of us are learning to appreciate the natural world within our 5km travel limit, a Donegal man is offering a fascinating insight into the wealth of plant and animal life around his North Clare home. Cormac McGinley, who is an expert in zoology and marine biology, spent 11 years as a ranger at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre before setting up his own coastal walking tours company. While the pandemic put a bit of a spanner in the works, Cormac admits, he decided to make good use of his time by sharing photos, videos and expert insights on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. “I live in Liscannor, so literally, wherever I walk within the travel limits, there is something spectacular to see,” he said. “I was building up the tours business and working with Leaving Cert students giving Geography field trips, and also training companies based along the Wild Atlantic Way. Then, …

THE Cliffs of Moher Centre annual report for 2019 has recently been filed with the Companies Registration Office, and showed that it had a turnover of €2.77 million for the year in question. On average it employed 75 people during 2019, down by ten on the previous year, while its wage bill for the year was over €2 million, with overall staff costs of €2,316,321. Regarding events since the close of 2019, the document states, “The Directors have assessed the relevant factors and in particular the risks on the Company’s business model, potentially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a rapidly evolving situation resulting in a high level of uncertainty nationally and globally and has the potential to have a significant impact on the Company through *Possibility of high staff absenteeism impacting the company’s ability to manage its business on a day to day basis. *Significant and prolonged supply chain interruptions. *Financial implications for the business. “The company has …

CREATIVITY, and an eye for a gap in the market, has inspired a Bunratty woman to ‘Jump Over the Gate,’ by developing a line of children’s books. Interior designer Edel Moloney has branched into children’s publishing, alongside a creative team featuring writer Róisín Meaney and illustrator Louisa Condon. The new company, called Jump Over the Gate, has created what Edel describes as “Ireland’s coolest puffin, Puffin Paulie, who resides in his burrow at the Cliffs of Moher”. “We’re three women with complementary skills,” notes Edel. “We’re very excited about the potential of this project.” Puffin Paulie Goes West is the first of two planned books, which will be accompanied by merchandise including a soft toy and T-shirts. The book, which is available, fittingly, at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, features Paulie on the back of his motorbike whizzing along the west coast, playing tunes, surfing the waves, cleaning some beaches and having lots of fun. his wonderful and entertaining …

A BOOST to hotel trade in parts of Clare has come in the form of newly-weds honeymooning at home this year. With a raft of Covid-19 related rules curtailing the size of gatherings at weddings, many have opted to defer their nuptials, but those who are tying the knot in the time of coronavirus, are providing tourism operations with a very welcome staycation boost. “I have seen a lot of Irish honeymooners coming to Clare,” said Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan. “My stocks of champagne are much depleted and anecdotally I’m hearing that couples who are staying in the country for their honeymoons are getting to discover what the country has to offer. I think there is a silver lining here in that people are quite surprised by what their own country has to offer.” In terms of his own business, the former Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) president said that while visitor numbers had been strong in August, he estimate that …