Cliffs of Moher walkway opens despite legal row

A spectacular €400,000 walkway taking in the Cliffs of Moher has been officially opened — in spite of Clare County Council being unable to complete the walkway due to a land row between two farmers.

At a ceremony in Liscannor yesterday, mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) officially opened the new 12km Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, which links Doolin to the entire Cliffs of Moher stretching to Hag’s Head.

Mr Daly said: “This is a major tourism project not only for north Clare but for the growing walking tourism market in Ireland. We believe that it is one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the country and will attract the type of visitors who will stay longer in the area.”

However, a legal row between neighbours Michael O’Brien of Lurraga, Doolin, and Joseph Connole of Lough South, Liscannor, has prevented the council surfacing a 600m portion of the walkway north of the Cliffs of Moher.

Mr O’Brien has had a court injunction taken out against his neighbour interfering with his property since last October. The matter is due to go to hearing at Ennis Circuit Court next month.

However, a right of way exists across the entire walkway and the dispute does not prevent walkers accessing any portion of the route.

Eimer McCarthy of the Clare Local Development Company said yesterday that “the entire path is open to walkers”.

“It is common on other walks to have sections unsurfaced, so this is quite acceptable to walkers, as well as to the National Trails Office who provide annual inspections on the route.”

Ms McCarthy said that surfacing of the area north of the Cliffs of Moher “will depend on the outcome of the court case between the two landowners in that area”.

She said that there are 38 landowners on the route between Hags Head and Doolin and landowners participating in the five-year Walks Maintenance Scheme receive maintenance payments on average of €500 per annum.

The route is for experienced walkers and offers views of the Aran Islands and Connemara in Co Galway.

Gerard Kennedy, chairman of the Burren Way, said: “This is something we’ve been working towards for several years and is tremendous that it has now become a reality.

“This is a wonderful tourism and recreational resource for north Clare, the benefits of which will be seen for years to come.”

Fáilte Ireland provided 74% of the funding for the project and Fiona Monaghan of the tourism body said yesterday: “This initiative is regarded as one of the finest walks along the west coast of Ireland and will be a key element in the development of the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Latest figures from Fáilte Ireland show that more than 775,000 overseas visitors to Ireland go hiking/cross-country walking each year.