A Clare Tour Operator claims his business will be shut in a matter of weeks as a direct result of the decision to close a large section of the Cliffs Of Moher walking trail.
The Clare Local Development Company has closed off 5.5km of the route from the public from today in order to carry out urgent health and safety works.
Following an audit carried out by Sport Ireland, a number of health and safety issues were identified throughout the walkway.
Clare County Council had initially planned to carry out improvement works later this year, but it’s understood a definitive timeline issued by Sport Ireland meant the works had to be expedited, or insurance for the entire trail would be withdrawn.
As a result, 5.5km of the popular hiking route is now closed off to everyone, except for the Clare Local Development Company and Emergency Services.
The closure will apply for 5km from Hags Head to within 1km of the Visitor Centre and for a 500m section, roughly 1km North of the Visitor Centre.
Although, hikers will still be able to access sections of the trail from North and South of the centre, one Clare business owner claims the proposal will decimate the local economy.
Ollie Gleeson from Ennis, who employs nine people as part of his business Ollie’s Tours, insists much of the closure is unnecessary, and fears he will be forced to close.
The remedial works come in light of two fatal incidents on the walking trail, which occurred in May and July.
This week, the CLDC and Clare Irish Farmers Association will be meeting with trail landowners to discuss the planned closure and the future of the trail.
Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor and Cliffs Of Moher 2040 Board Member Shane Talty says a workaround needs to be found as soon as possible as the trail is critical to North Clare’s future.
You can listen to the full interview here:
