The dramatic and rugged Cliffs of Moher are now home to a Visitor Experience centre which opened in February 2007 with support from EU funding. The cliffs are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, and as a result of the Cliffs of Moher project, this underground centre now houses state-of-the-art facilities and an award winning exhibition – Atlantic Edge – providing a fascinating interpretation of the 319 million year old cliffs.
- 07 December 2009
Visitors from all over the world have benefited from the improved facilities and visitor management programme at the Cliffs and since 2007 we have seen increased visits from education groups as the education programme develops and from disabled and elderly visitors as the new built environment and management plan has dramatically increased ease of access.
The eco-friendly project has respected the home of local flora and fauna, with protected bird species now experiencing population growth. In addition, the entire site makes use of renewable energy sources including geo-thermal and solar power, in an effort to minimise detrimental effects on the environment. With almost one million visitors every year from all over the globe, the Visitor Experience is proving extremely popular.
Setting the scene
The Visitor Centre is complemented by over 700 metres of cliff-side viewing platforms, paths, seating and steps as well as landscaped parking areas. The opening of the €31.5 million project by Clare County Council went hand-in-hand with the introduction of a visitor management, education and conservation programme. This has gone from strength to strength since its inception, with improved safety for visitors and growing numbers of educational and research visits.
A dramatic experience for visitors
Atlantic Edge is the exciting interpretive centre at the Cliffs of Moher. In the middle of the underground building, a huge domed cave contains images, exhibits, displays and experiences to thrill young and old. The dome is organised into four themed areas exploring different elements of the imposing cliffs: ocean, rock, nature and man, with interactive exhibits and displays showing their relationships with the cliffs. An aerial tour, the Clare Journey, takes place on a central screen, while a winding tunnel evokes the caves in the area, leading to a theatre and its virtual reality cliff-face adventure – the Ledge.
Wildlife protection
The Cliffs of Moher are home to one of the largest colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds in Ireland. The area was designated a Refuge for Fauna in 1988 and a Special Protection Area for Birds under the EU Birds Directive in 1989. Within the designated site are the cliffs, the cliff-top maritime grassland and heath, and a 200-metre zone of open water to protect part of the birds' feeding area. The area covers 200 hectares and highlights how important the wildlife is for the area.