This article is from page 10 of the 2006-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE newly-published Lonely Planet Guide to Ireland states that the Cliffs of Moher has turned into a “sightseeing circus”.
But, according to the Clare County Council official responsible for a new €32m visitor centre at the Cliffs, the Lonely Planet assessment is, “something we already knew”.
Ger Dollard said, “the fundamental principles of the new visitor experience is to bring order to chaos and introduce better visitor management arrangements to deliver a more positive visitor experience.
“The internal exhibition and interpretative elements are also designed to provide a sensory experience that allows the visitor to become one with nature at the Cliffs of Moher.
“Extending existing walkways will improve, very significantly, the health and safety aspects at the site.
“The cliffs are world-class standard and the new visitor experience project will ensure that facilities complement that.”
Overall, Clare receives a glowing endorsement from the Lonely Planet guidebook.
Its publication coincides with the council increasing its tourism promotion budget by 200 per cent this year.
The chapter states, “Clare sits quietly between Galway to the north and Kerry to the south, unmoved by the starry reputations of those two famous Irish counties. Yet Clare wins hands down when it comes to startling landscape and dramatic prehistoric artefacts.
“It may not boast the great mountains of Galway and Kerry, nor their corrugated coastlines, but there are few more compelling landscapes in all of Ireland than the Burren of north Clare, with its swooping hills of raw limestone and its mosaic of vividly coloured wild flowers. The Burren region is one of those compelling places that will captivate you and may never let you go.
“Here you’ll find the bare bones of ancient burial chambers, the curving walls of Iron-Age castles, medieval tower houses and remote beaches.
“Many of Clare’s towns and villages retain their traditional charm. The county town of Ennis has an engaging network of narrow streets, while villages such as Miltown Malbay and Kilfenora have grand old pubs that host traditional music sessions on various evenings.
“Two villages define Clare’s keynote attractions. Doolin on the breezy west coast draws music lovers and backpackers, while lovely Ballyvaughan, on the southern shores of Galway Bay, is an ideal base for exploring the Burren.”
Mr Dollard said, “I think the guide confirms that whether you go north, south, east or west, Clare has it.