Tag Archives: Cliffs of Moher

MINISTER for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin was in Doolin on Tuesday to visit the location of the proposed €6m pier project. His visit coincided with the signing by Clare County Council of a contract with L&M Keating, the successful tenderer for the construction of the new pier. Construction work will begin in the coming days and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins, said, “The project has been long sought after by ferry operators, fishermen and tourists,who use the pier. The completed pier will be used mainly to facilitate ferry activity between North Clare and the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher during the tourist season, while the existing pier will be available to accommodate other activities – both leisure based and otherwise. The new pier will ensure that Doolin is accessible in all tidal conditions, which will be of particular benefit to Doolin Search and Rescue as well …

HUNDREDS of cyclists will set off from Ennis this month for a very special fundraising event to remember an avid member of a local cycling club who died suddenly last year. This year’s Dolmen Challenge Tour is being dedicated to the memory of the late Seamus Mullane, a keen cyclist and member of Dolmen Cycle Club. The father of four was also known to many through his work with Aer Lingus in Shannon and more recently the court service in Ennis. As part of the cycle, the participants will pass the Mullane family home in Kilnaboy and will mark a minute’s remembrance at the nearby graveyard. The cycle will take place on April 27, leaving from the Woodstock Golf and Country Club on the Shanaway Road at 10am. As well as honouring the life of the late Mr Mullane, the event will also raise money for the valuable work of Doolin Search and Rescue. According to John Colleran of Dolmen …

THE Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience website has been shortlisted for another major digital award just weeks after finishing as a runner-up in the eircom Golden Spider Awards. www.cliffsofmoher.ie has been shortlisted for the Samsung Digital Media Awards ‘Best in Travel & Tourism’ category, the winner of which will be announced on February 21. The Cliffs of Moher website was launched in July 2013 having undergone a revamp that introduced a number of new features, including of an interactive guide to the visitor attraction and 360 degree panoramic views of the Cliffs and Visitor Centre. “The website is designed to have a high visual appeal with full screen background images and exciting video and 360 degree image content bringing the site alive. It can be viewed on mobile devices including smartphone and iPad. Visitors planning their trip have use of an interactive map with suggested walking routes and can even book their tickets online at a discounted price. The website …

TWELVE leading tour operators from Russia visited Clare and the West of Ireland last week. Their visit was organised by UK inbound tour operator, Camelot Tours, and supported by Tourism Ireland to help grow Ireland’s share of the rapidly-growing Russian travel market. News of efforts to develop the Russian market comes in a week when it was officially confirmed that North Americans travelled in big numbers to this country. During their time here, the Russians saw many natural attractions, including the Cliffs of Moher, while they also inspected several hotels, among them Dromoland Castle Hotel and Bunratty Castle Hotel. Jim Paul, Tourism Ireland’s head of developing markets, said, “We are delighted that these influential Russian tour operators have taken time out of their busy schedules to come and visit Co Clare and Ireland. For all of them, it was their first visit and they were extremely impressed by the spectacular scenery and rich heritage, the many things to see and …

THE  Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark’s management and promotion  as a sustainable destination has gained international attention. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has confirmed the Geopark as one of 18 finalists for its 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, just two months after the Clare destination was shortlisted for a top honour in the 2013 World Responsible Tourism Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry, recognising sustainable tourism best practices in businesses and destinations worldwide, ranging from local destinations to global hotel groups, international airlines, luxury tour operators and small eco-lodges. Award applications were received this year from 56 countries, representing all continents. The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark has been shortlisted alongside Bonito (Brazil) and Temes S.A. – Costa Navarino (Greece) as ‘Destination Award’ finalists for “showing commitment to supporting and delivering sustainable tourism best practices in their destinations.” Winners and finalists will be recognised …

THE Gathering  proved to be a winner with communities, larges and small, all over the country. An  event marking the success of the initiatives undertaken in  Clare in 2013 was held at Shannon Airport last night. Representatives of the 250 festivals and events held around Clare during 2013 were presented with “Thank You” certificates by Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins. He said they had made an important contribution to the positive year experienced by the local tourism industry in 2013.  Mayor Arkins was joined at the event by members of the County Clare Gathering Steering Committee, and representatives of Ireland Reaching Out and event sponsor Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. “Despite the scepticisn expressed in some quarters at national level regarding the potential impact of the Gathering Ireland initiative on tourism, it has become quite clear that the initiative was one of the primary factors behind the excellent performance of the local sector last year,” explained Mayor Arkins. He continued, “From …

DESPITE a stormy December, visitor numbers at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience in County Clare were up 10% during 2013. 960,134 people visited the world famous tourist attraction last year compared to 873,988 during the previous year. It is the third successive increase in visitor numbers to the Cliffs of Moher with year-on-year increases of 12% and 8% being achieved during 2011 and 2012 respectively. Management at the Cliffs of Moher say growth in the group travel market, good weather conditions during July and The Gathering Ireland initiative helped to deliver the increase. Fully Independent Travellers (FITs), mainly travelling by car, made up 49% of the total representing a 4% increase compared to 2012.   Groups, mainly travelling by coach, made up 46% of the total and this segment grew by 14.6% over 2012.  Walkers, cyclists and those travelling by public transport made up the remainder representing a 17.6% increase over 2012. “This is the highest number of visitors since …

MANAGEMENT  at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre in North Clare have announced that the tourist attraction was  closed to the public from 1pm on Wednesday, December 18 due to expected strong winds. Katherine Webster,  director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, said, “We appeal to people not to visit the Cliffs of Moher from 1pm today as it will be unsafe to do so and the visitor centre will not be open.” Met Eireann has issued a National Status Red Weather Warning predicting extreme gale force winds from 3pm onwards and continuing through the night.  Gusts of up to 150km/ph are forecast. This weather warning runs until 3am Thursday. Visitors intending to visit tomorrow should check the website or call ahead to check if the centre is open.