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DoChara's Ireland Blog
Random Writings about Ireland and the Irish
Thursday
February 8 2007
Cliffs of Moher Centre is Open
Well, to-day Bertie cut the ribbon on the new Cliffs of Moher 'Visitor Experience', and the cliffs are now officially and comprehensively commercialised.
I have not exactly been a raving fan of the whole concept of an Interpretive Centre at the cliffs (see here and here), believing, as I still do, that it has far more to do with the mechanics of extracting cash from visitors than with any of the lofty ideals set out in the press statement. And by all accounts it will do that both efficiently and effectively.
Fortunately it was built largely with grants that don't require repayment, because it actually makes no commercial sense at all otherwise - a build cost in excess of €30 million takes a bit of paying back if you have borrowed it. As it is the National Development Plan, with a hefty contribution from the EU, paid most of the bills, but it is now owned by Clare County Council, who must be rubbing their hands in glee at the nice little earner they have accquired.
I was sort of hoping for an invite to the cork popping - a get your critics on board sort of thing - but none arrived. I'll visit in the next few weeks anyway, see if it is as bad as I fear and reserve final judgement until then.
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