This article is from page 16 of the 2006-04-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE official leading the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre project has confirmed that the council is in talks with US-based business people in order to secure corporate sponsorship.
Ger Dollard expressed confidence that the talks, involving business people with Irish links and aimed at bridging the €4 million shortfall in the €31.5 million project, would bear fruit.
In spite of the shortfall, Mr Dollard expressed confidence that the centre would be completed on time and within budget.
However, the costs of visiting one of Ireland’s best known attractions is set to soar under a new pricing regime.
It will cost €8 per car and €60 per standard coach from next year when the centre becomes operational. Currently, it costs individuals €4 to park any vehicle.
Tourists face an additional charge of €4 per adult, for visiting the interpretative centre, while concession rates for groups, families, children and others will also apply.
When the centre opens next year, 94 people will be employed at peak season, including a team of 16 rangers to provide guided tours to visitors.
Last Friday, Junior Enterprise and Employment Minister, Tony Killeen, officially opened the the first phase of the project, consisting viewing platforms, 300 metres of cliff edge pathways and seating areas at the cliffs.
Mr Dollard also revealed that the council would accommodate buskers at the Cliffs.
“This must be a managed controlled way and we will be going through a process later in the year to seek expressions of interest to progress this,” he said.
According to Mr Dollard, the new charges would “reflect the vastly enhanced facilities both in and out of doors.” He described the new prices as “excellent value”.
“The original charging philosophy in which a single charge of €7 per head for access to all aspects of the visitor experience has been replaced with an alternative, more flexible approach.
“A visitor could spend up to two hours in the interpretative centre if they wished to do so, as well as an unlimited amount of time on the cliff edge and in the public areas of the visitor centre, plus the support of the rangers”.
Mr Dollard said that the new rates were comparable to other visitor attractions in the area, including Ailwee Cave, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, the Burren Centre and Blarney Castle.