*Representatives of Clare County Council, NPWS, Failte Ireland, the Burren Ecotourism Network, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Geopark, and the Clare tourism sector pictured at the launch of the Burren and Cliffs of mOHER Experience last year Photograph: Eamon Ward
CLARE County Council hopes to continue the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Explorer service in 2027, with arrangements for the future of the two-year pilot project still under consideration.
Director of Services Siobhán McNulty outlined the position at the October meeting of the Tourism, Recreation, Libraries and Cultural Services Strategic Policy Committee, where Melanie Lennon presented an update on the initiative.
The collaborative project involves Clare County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Fáilte Ireland and local stakeholders.
Launched on May 1, 2025, it offers free public transport and free admission to the Cliffs of Moher as part of an effort to encourage visitors to explore North Clare.
The service carried 46,000 passengers during its first season in 2025, connecting locations including Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Doolin, Liscannor, Lisdoonvarna, Lahinch, Kilfenora and Miltown Malbay, as well as the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
A review of the first season helped shape the second year of the project, with a passenger survey attracting 220 responses. Other measures included mystery-shopper exercises, familiarisation trips for drivers and coordination with Transport for Ireland and Bus Éireann to improve connections and align timetables.
The 2026 season ran from May 21 to September 20, with the dates adjusted following feedback from the previous season to accommodate the golf tournaments, including the Amgen Irish Open and Walker Cup, as well as the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival.
Ennistymon and Spanish Point were added to the BC1 route, extending the service’s reach, while changes to connections aimed to make journeys simpler for passengers.
A second route, BC2, also provided a single-connection link between Ballyvaughan and the Cliffs of Moher.
The initiative was promoted through social media campaigns, Clare FM, digital advertising, print materials and accommodation providers. Social media personalities Mary Timby, April Drew and Alan Clarke were also involved in promoting the service.
Cllr Shane Talty (FF), chairperson of the committee, asked about plans for the service next year.
Ms McNulty said discussions were ongoing with various parties and that the council was committed to providing the service in 2027.
“We are in talks in relation to the provision of the service for next year, and there is a number of different parties and I can’t speak for [them], but we are committed to the provision of service in 2027,” she said.
She added that the council was “looking at expertise in this space” to continue the process into 2027.
Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) welcomed the work involved in the project and referred to the launch of the Ennis Town Bus, saying Clare was beginning to develop a more interconnected public transport network.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
