‘Potential safety hazard’ identified on Cliffs Walk

A “potential safety hazard” 800m from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre has been identified by the National Trails Office (NTO).

 

A spokesman for the NTO stated the issue on the Cliffs Coastal Walk was brought to the attention of Clare County Council recently following an inspection and pointed out the council was encouraged to address this matter within a two-month period.

He confirmed maintenance issues observed during the first annual inspection would be outlined in a report to Clare Leader within the next two weeks, which is involved in the maintenance of this trail, in association with the council.

This “potential safety hazard” is in addition to “missing” signage along the Cliff Walk, particularly at the Hags Head section before people leave the Cliffs of Moher (COM) complex.

Councillor Richard Nagle has pledged to raise the lack of adequate signage with the council and his concerns are shared by Councillor Bill Slattery and Senator Martin Conway, who said there is no excuse for foot-dragging on this issue.

While he accepts that people have to be responsible and desist from walking on the cliff edge, Councillor Nagle proposed that the cliffs’ rangers should play a proactive role in advising people not to step outside the designated pathway onto the cliff edge, which is subject to regular subsidence. “People don’t seem to take into account the danger of walking on a cliff edge that could crumble away at any time. I have seen people laying down on the ledge looking over the edge even before rangers were employed.”

One of the most bizarre aspects is the fact there is a clearly visible information sign erected away from the flag fence advising people not to walk on the cliff edge on the O’Brien’s Tower section.

While Emer McCarthy from Clare Leader stated a lot of issues on a snag list have been addressed, she acknowledged the “missing” information sign at Hags Head is still outstanding since June. She noted a sign was erected at Hags Head indicating that walkers were leaving the COM complex.

Cliffs of Moher director Katherine Webster pointed out the COM has not been involved in the development or operation of the walk, other than through the consultative process at project development stage and in facilitating access. The walk is managed by Burren Way Limited and Clare Leader. She stated the NTO hadn’t contacted the centre management about signage.

“After the walk opened, of our own accord we erected some additional multi-lingual signage at the exits from the visitor centre grounds to make it clear to walkers that they were leaving the managed grounds of our site, even though the terrain on the walk is very different from the surfaced paths within the centre grounds.

“There was never any expectation or intention that the Cliffs of Moher rangers would supervise walkers on the trail,” she added.

As part of the overall contract, the council acknowledged only three of the required signs at the four main entry points to the walk were erected; the missing one being at Hags Head.

“This has been highlighted on a number of occasions to the contractor who has acquired the sign.

“Two inspections have been carried out this year. The missing sign was picked up in the second inspection but the official report has not been sent from the NTO.

“The council is satisfied that the project meets the required standards and the matter of the missing sign is being addressed. Additional signage erected separately by Cliffs of Moher management is additional to the information provided to visitors. As advertised, the walk is intended for and designed for experienced walkers,” the council explained.