Cliffs of Moher centre attracts one million visitors

Almost one million visitors were recorded at the Cliffs of Moher last year in the first year of the operation of the new €31.5 million visitor centre.

Director of the project Ger Dollard said 2007 was a "hugely successful year" for the Co Clare attraction. He said visitor numbers to the tourist destination increased by 3 per cent last year, with 940,455 visits recorded at the site.

Clare County Council was faced with a €230,000 deficit as a result of the project at the end of June. However, a reduction in expenditure ensured that the €2.6 million generated at the cliffs met all costs, including loan charges in 2007.

"A major element of expenditure is payroll costs, with the centre providing significant employment opportunities for the local population," said Mr Dollard.

"The team at the cliffs monitored operations very closely during the year and controlled costs very tightly, while also introducing initiatives to generate revenues."

He added that the council had no plans to increase charges in 2008 and would be maintaining charges at 2007 levels.

The council secured a loan of €15 million to build the visitor centre and Mr Dollard confirmed that loan charges this year would amount to €1.13 million but will be funded through income derived from the Cliffs.

"This level of charge is a heavy imposition but arises from the capital costs of the development," he said. In a move that avoided the council incurring higher loan charges, Mr Dollard confirmed that "in planning the development the council took advantage of the very favourable interest rate climate at the time and fixed interest rates on the €15 million loan for the first five years".

"The opening of the long awaited project delivered on the overall objective of the council in providing a first class development at this iconic visitor location," Mr Dollard said. "For 2008 there are certainly many challenges facing the tourism sector and the team at the Cliffs are well equipped to meet those challenges. We look forward to playing our part as the main tourist attraction in the county in participating in marketing and promotion campaigns to attract visitors to the region and encouraging longer stays to visit the wealth of locations in our county."

He added: "The improved visitor management arrangements at the Cliff edge worked very well and it was clear that visitors were very impressed with the standard of facilities both within the main building and externally in the vicinity of the centre and at the Cliff edge."

"The development has already been positively recognised with commendations and awards from the Institute of Designers in Ireland . . . and the Association for Heritage Interpretation UK.

"The project has also been shortlisted for an award at the Lama awards in Dublin on January 18th. The operation of the facility . . . worked very well and provides a very solid foundation for the first full year of operations in 2008."

He said it was also intended to complete works at O'Brien's Tower and bring it back to full use as well as providing some additional disabled parking.