Friday, June 27, 2014

Cliffs of Moher records 7% increase in visitors

The Cliffs Exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience has been officially opened to the public following a €300,000 euro revamp.

Part of a €550,000 euro facilities investment by Clare County Council at the world famous tourist attraction, the updated exhibition features new displays and interactive exhibits on the wildlife and geology of the Cliffs of Moher and County Clare.

The exhibit designer Rockbrook Engineering worked with management to source the exhibition content, including the 'Postcard from the Edge' display which enables visitors to shoot a photograph or movie of themselves in different settings at the Cliffs of Moher.

Other content includes an interactive children's wildlife game, an area charting the rise of tourism at the Cliffs of Moher, and 'Kids Creations' which enables children to create a personalised artistic memento of their visit to the Cliffs. The upgraded interpretative space is complemented by “The Ledge”, a virtual reality cliffside experience and “The Clare Journey” tour of the County Clare landscape.

Officially opening the Cliffs Exhibition, Mayor of Clare Cllr. John Crowe said the new exhibition further enhances the overall visitor experience for the estimated one million people who travel to the Cliffs of Moher each year.

"From the development of the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk to the upgrade of the iconic OBrien's Tower and surrounding walkways, the Cliffs of Moher has been the subject of considerable investment during recent years. This has resulted in a year-on-year increase in visitor numbers since 2009 with positive knock on effects for the wider tourism sector. I am particularly delighted to learn that the number of people visiting the site during the first six months of 2014 is 7% up on the same period last year," he said.

Mayor Crowe continued: "The ongoing delivery of improvements to existing facilities at the Cliffs of Moher has helped to reinforce the site's status as one of the most visited tourism landmarks in the country. This progress is complemented by the launch of The Wild Atlantic Way, which presents significant opportunities for tourism development right along the western seaboard of Ireland with the Cliffs prominently featured as part of the new touring route."

According to Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience: "We expect the new exhibition content will encourage previous visitors to revisit and will also, through the social sharing aspects, encourage word of mouth promotion of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience and the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark as a must see destination for future visitors."

Commenting on ongoing improvement works to the overall tourist site, Ms. Webster said: "Work has already been completed on the coach park area prior to the summer season, resulting in the expansion and improvement of facilities for our group tour customers.  We are also planning works in the carpark area which includes new layouts and walkways, landscaping and the addition of charging stations for eCars."

The Cliffs Exhibition is located within the dome area of the main Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience building, which was first opened to the public in February 2007 and has since attracted more than 6 million visitors. The building also includes a restaurant, café, shop and a First Aid facility.

Earlier this year, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience became one of three “Signature Discovery Points” in County Clare along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way, the others being the Bridges of Ross and Loop Head Lighthouse. For more visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie.