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# one in a million
One millionth visitor to Cliffs of Moher wins €5k holiday
Rita Shaw from Florida is on holiday to Ireland with her husband.
A MILESTONE FIGURE was reached today at the Cliffs of Moher, after it’s one millionth visitor for 2014 was recorded.
So, who was the lucky visitor? That would be Rita Shaw from Niceville, Florida in the USA, when she arrived at the cliffs at 11.01 am.
She may have thought it was customary to being greeted onsite with music and a champagne reception, but this was all in celebration of her visit.
Shaw, who is on holiday in Ireland with her husband Stephen, was presented with a certificate marking the occasion as well as a €5,000 prize return holiday to County Clare.
Visitors on the rise
Visitor numbers to the cliffs have risen for four successirve years, with this year’s figures up 12% on 2013.
Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience said new routes and increased access into Shannon Airport, as well as the launch by Failte Ireland of the Wild Atlantic Way on which the Cliffs of Moher are a Signature Discovery point have contributed to the rise in numbers.
She said the popularity of the 12-kilometre Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, and the Cliffs of Moher’s close links with Brian Ború during the millennial anniversary of his death have also helped.
The Clare County Council owned visitor centre has also seen substantial investment in product and facilities in 2014 with a spend of over €600,000 on additional coach parking facilities, new exhibition content, restoration works in O’Brien’s Tower and a redesign of the foyer at the visitor centre.
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