MISINFORMATION arounds the Cliffs of Moher needs to be tackled, the Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District has stressed.
While the Cliffs of Moher walking trail is not expected to reopen fully this year, the iconic Cliffs remain accessible for tourists, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) stressed.
Safety works are ongoing along the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk. Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) who manage the route outlined at the beginning of this month that the trail is unlikely to reopen this year.
At the beginning of August, safety works commenced along sections of the 18km scenic coastal walk following health and safety concerns raised following the tragic deaths of a twelve year old boy in July who went missing after being separated from his family at the Cliffs of Moher and the death of a woman in her twenties after she reportedly lost her footing when walking with friends.
CLDC manage the walking route while the County Council is responsible for management and public safety of the 800m section of the walk at the Cliffs of Moher Experience site. Launched in 2013, the official trail heads between Doolin Community Centre and Liscannor football field with the Cliffs of Moher in between and spawns across land belonging to 37 landowners.
Speaking at a meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr McInerney acknowledged that “essential safety works” were underway for the walking route. She stressed, “the visitor centre and overall Cliffs experience is very accessible”.
She continued, “I’ve had calls from US, there is misinformation out there on accessibility and the availability of Cliff experience this year, I know Visit Clare do an amazing job but we need to get message out there locally and nationally, there is jealousy as to what we have in Co Clare so we need to get the message out that the Cliffs are very accessible and open”. Such confusion stemmed from reports in the national and international media, the Doonbeg woman said.
Director of Service in the Tourism Development Directorate, Siobhán McNulty said, “We are very aware of the Cliffs situation, it is the coastal walk that is closed, the visitor experience is open for business”.
On plans for the shuttle bus to the Cliffs of Moher, Cllr McInerney asked that the timing be altered to accommodate employees who are starting early and finishing late. “I take your point on the hop on hop off service, we hope to have it in place for May but it will definitely be in place for June, July and August, we’re working to bring maximum benefit to the community,” McNulty replied.
