Steep clean sees graffiti removed at Moher

In a commando-style operation, a team of cleaners have removed graffiti from the Cliffs of Moher as they worked held up by ropes 180m above the sea.

A specialist team from Limerick was hired to remove the graffiti, the work of a mystery artist.

Billy Marshall, managing director of Premier Industrial cleaners, said: “In my 21 years in business, this was the most daunting task we have had to carry out. Access to the site was a major hindrance due to the landscape and terrain so all the equipment had to be carried 450 yards from the vehicles to the side of Hag’s Head, which is on the Liscannor side.

“The freezing conditions made it difficult. Getting water and power to the side of the cliff face also posed difficulties, so cables and hoses had to be run the same distance back to the vehicles, which added further trip hazards to the job on hand.”

Mr Marshall’s company, having consulted with the farmer who owns access to the cliffs, decided to tackle the nine-hour clean-up job. He did not disclose if a payment was involved or not.

Ian Bennis, manager with the team, secured ropes around Hag’s Head for the rest of the crew to harness on to.

Mr Bennis said: “Safety is always top of our list, no matter what job we do, and all aspects have to be taken into consideration, including the winds and wet slippy rocks. With temperatures at –6C on the cliff, the grass and rocks were treacherous so there was no room for error.

“The removal of the graffiti was not a problem to us but geology and wildlife had to be taken into consideration. Due to the porous nature of the sandstone rock, along with the wildlife, it eliminated the use of abrasive chemicals. The process took longer than anticipated but the result was a success.”

The crew started at 8am i and finished just before 5pm, much to the delight of the locals and tourists who looked on as the team worked.

Mr Marshall said: “They were very hospitable and welcoming but, most of all, were glad to see the graffiti removed, at the end of the day. That is what we were there for.”