Beauty and natural wonders come as no surprise to Africans, however standing 214 meters at the highest point and stretching for eight kilometers along the Atlantic coast of Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher, which leave any visitor breathless.
One of Ireland’s most visited natural attractions, the Cliffs are one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland. Located in county Clare and just south of the Village of Doolin and the Burren, the Cliffs ascend to over 700 feet (214 meters) stretching south for nearly five miles (8km) to Hags head.
One can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains to the north in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher is also home to a large number of nesting seabirds, with it being almost vertical, their sheer drop into the Atlantic Ocean is a haven for the feathered friends. These include the Atlantic Puffin, Razorbuill, Chough and Common Gull, which make this site perfect for the avid bird watcher.
Due to the increasing popularity of the Cliffs, a significant upgrading of the walkways and viewing areas took place as well as the provision of a visitor centre incorporating audio visual theatre, exhibition, restaurant and retail areas. Raised viewing platforms were also built along the coast path to facilitate better views.
“It is a tremendous asset for the west coast of Ireland to have a tourist attraction of the calibre of the Cliffs and the only attraction in the country outside of the Dublin area to attract such numbers,” says First Citizen of County Clare, Councillor John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. “The Council’s vision in developing the centre and its continued investment in facilities has greatly enhanced the overall visitor experience at what is arguably now the flagship of Irish tourism and one of Europe’s most visited tourist locations,” he continues.
And this was proven on the 20th October 2014 when the Cliffs of Moher recorded their one millionth visitor, Rita Shaw, of Niceville, Florida, USA.
Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience said the visitor growth is the result of “a perfect storm of positive factors combining to drive visitor numbers over the one million mark.”
The Cliffs of Moher’s reputation as a leading tourism landmark has been further enhanced by the site’s inclusion as a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature online global contest. In 2011, the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region of North Clare were also awarded the prestigious designation of membership of the UNESCO-supported Global Geopark network.
The Cliffs of Moher beckon visitors from far and wide to come and experience their beauty and magnitude.
For more on the Cliffs of Moher visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie.
For more information on Ireland, visit www.ireland.com or contact Tourism Ireland SA on 011 463 1132.
