Cliffs of Moher - New 7 Wonders of Nature - voting closes on 11/11/'11

Lady Chatterton

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s nomination for the global online campaign to find the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011.

Voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature closes on 11/11/'11.

I have huge issues with the way the Cliff of Moher is being run at present - the admission and parking charges etc. However, the Cliff of Moher are amazing and it would be brilliant to see them make it on the list of "New 7 Wonders of Nature".

You can vote for the Cliff by Text or by logging online.

Text MOHER to 53131

Text votes are unlimited and cost €0.30

Vote online

http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2

Michael D. Higgins - President Elect
Ireland's newly elected President - Michael D. Higgins - has expressed strong support for the Cliffs of Moher's bid to become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and called upon his fellow Irishmen and women to do likewise.

Senator David Norris
Senator David Norris, a candidate for the 2011 Irish Presidential elections, is backing the Cliffs of Moher in the N7W campaign."Overseas friends of mine visited the west of Ireland during the last summer and were wildly enthusiastic about the Cliffs of Moher when they returned to stay with me. They are one of the jewels in the crown of Irish tourism and they richly deserve to be recognised as a global natural wonder." enthused Senator Norris on the recent visit to the Cliffs.

Maura O'Connell - singer & Jim Sheridan - film director
At the launch of the Clare Live the Life DVD Clare born singer Grammy nominated singer - Maura O'Connell lend her voice to that of 7 times Academy Award nominee - film director Jim Sheridan to encourage others to vote for the Cliffs in the campaign.

Barry McGuigan - world featherweight champion
Barry McGuigan, the former world heavy weight champion, is in the Cliffs corner in the campaign to find the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Here you can see the boxer, who is known as The Clones Cyclone, giving the Cliffs campaign a big thumbs up. For nature that really packs a punch it is hard to beat the Cliffs of Moher

Ivan Yates - Businessman & Former Senior Irish Politician
Ivan Yates is a businessman and former senior Irish politician and Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Ivan is now the co presenter of the popular radio show Newstalk, Ivan has voted for the Cliffs of Moher, he thinks it would be great for Ireland if the Cliffs of Moher was nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

John McCarthy – Surfer
John pioneered the first attempt to surf the giant wave at the base of the Cliffs at a point along the Cliffs called Aill na Searrach and later named the wave "Aileens".
“Sitting at the base of the Cliffs makes you feel very privileged to live and experience such an amazing work of creation”

Nuala McKeogh - Clare Rose
Nuala McKeogh from Killaloe is the Clare Rose and is bidding for success in the 2010 Rose of Tralee Festival. She has voted for the Cliffs of Moher in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Here's hoping for success for both Nuala and the Cliffs.

Anne Rynne – Musician
Anne is a native of Co. Clare and grew up in Cahersherkin, Ennistymon, Co. Clare has played the fiddle with the Kilfenora Ceili Band for 17 years.
“The mix of natural beauty, the sounds from the sea far below and the soft sound of music being played along the Cliff is a natural wonder”

Eoghan McDonnell- School Boy
Eoghan is in 2nd Class in Ennistymon National School; Art is one of his favourite subjects at school and he loves painting and drawing. He has won several art competitions, he painted a picture of the Cliffs of Moher as a present for his grandmother Mary last year and she loved it. “I think the Cliffs are the most beautiful place in the world with unimaginable heights”

George Karbus - Photographer
George Karbus is a wildlife, water and landscape photographer originally from the Czech Republic and lives in Lahinch, Co, Clare only a few miles from the Cliffs of Moher. George loves the costal area of Co. Clare and the Cliffs of Moher and spends much time photographing sea life, landscapes and wildlife in the area. He has travelled the world taking photographs.

His stunning photographs were exhibit in Japan, USA and England and his photography has been commended in Nature's Best contests, the most significant and competitive photography competition in the world.

"I try to capture beauties of our fragile world and show everyone the real treasure's of life. It may inspire people to live in harmony with nature. The Cliffs rise up from north Atlantic ocean and are so high that even biggest wave in Europe looks like a little splash from the top. The Cliffs are such a special place, majestic and beautiful, they can stun everyone at first sight".

http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/New7Wonders.aspx

There was a 30 minute special report on the Cliffs of Moher tonight, on RTE's Nationwide.

http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1119848

mikemac

Nobody can win a worldwide poll like the Irish

The Wolfe Tones had one of their songs voted greatest of all time and there was some obscure Irish footballer who got voted a football legend in Italy

Done

Lady Chatterton

Mike, I hope you will be voting for the COM Otherwise, you might have a few problems crossing the bridge into Clare

Le_Dieux

MrsD007 wrote: »

Mike, I hope you will be voting for the COM Otherwise, you might have a few problems crossing the bridge into Clare

Vote, then they COM become victorious, and then what? Will this give the leeches an opportunity to up their prices again?

I am sorry MrsD, I love the COM, but will NEVER again cross the 'bridge' until such time they change their money-grabbing exercise.

BTW: Wasn't there another poll recently for the COM? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056287165 This poll was back at the beginning of June, less than 6 months ago. How many damn polls do the COM wish to be in? ANYTHING to screw us the humble public average human out of more money?

No thanks, not for me anyhow - I for sure will not be voting!!

Le_Dieux

Just came across yet another poll the COM were trying to get votes for: http://sevennaturalwonders.org/europe This was on a boards thred on July 1 2010: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055955404&page=2

I wonder why they want us, joe public, to vote so often for their attraction? So they can fleece the public more??

Lady Chatterton

Le Dieux, I completely understand where you are coming from, I love the COM but I haven't been there since they started charging rip-off prices

I suppose if the COM made it on to the list it would attract much needed tourism to all of Ireland, not just Clare. They reckon visitors to Ireland could increase by 30% if we had a presence on this list.

ValerieR

As far as I can see, this New7Wonders of Nature is an international commercial venture aiming at people either ringing a premium number to vote for a site or gathering email addresses from voters. It is not affiliated with the UNESCO organisation for example.
I personally am a little dubious regarding its impact of tourist trade.
Valerie

Le_Dieux

ValerieR wrote: »

As far as I can see, this New7Wonders of Nature is an international commercial venture aiming at people either ringing a premium number to vote for a site or gathering email addresses from voters. It is not affiliated with the UNESCO organisation for example.
I personally am a little dubious regarding its impact of tourist trade.
Valerie

MrsD: I LOVE CLare, always have ( years ago spent every weekend in Lisdoonvarna in September). As I said in an old post, my OH is from SE Asia, and we have approximately 4 visits per year from Her Family. There were always 2 places we brought the visitors to: Kilkenny Castle, & The COM. Since the leeches decided to go on this price changing orgy, I stopped going there. Thats 4 adults per trip= 16 people over a year ( at least). Now, I turn left in Kilkee, and show them Loop Head and all the wonderful scenery down there -NO CHARGE. I feel for the small businesses involved in the tourist trade in the Lehinch/Doolin area as they must be suffering through the totally irresponsible actions of CCC in regard to the COM.

Valerie: It disturbs me if You are right, and I have no reason to disbelieve You. The COM must have been hit BADLY with their stupid decisions over the past few years & one can only assume they will do anything to get bodies to park up in that car park, and cross the road and dish out hard earned money - and TBH, one cannot blame them. As I say, I will NOT be voting for them.

Le_Dieux

ValerieR wrote: »

As far as I can see, this New7Wonders of Nature is an international commercial venture aiming at people either ringing a premium number to vote for a site or gathering email addresses from voters. It is not affiliated with the UNESCO organisation for example.
I personally am a little dubious regarding its impact of tourist trade.
Valerie

I also see there is a 2$ charge, and in return You get a PDF certificate emailed to You stating you voted for your chosen finalist.

Thanks for highlighting this 'huge' special offer Valerie.

Only word I can think of is WOW

ValerieR

Le_Dieux wrote: »

I also see there is a 2$ charge, and in return You get a PDF certificate emailed to You stating you voted for your chosen finalist.

LOL :eek: - I hadn't spotted that ! Thanks - V

fryup

a wonder of the world

its just high cliffs one of many throughout the world

Balagan

God almighty! I am sick to the back teeth of these Cliffs of Moher competitions. You think they're over and then another one pops up. Or maybe it's the same one going on and on. I don't actually want to hear a blessed thing about the Cliffs of Moher. People I know jumped off the damn things; people related to people I know jumped off them. Most of us must know someone who knows someone... We all hear the stories. It is just the saddest place now and if I so much as see someone breaking into a fast walk anywhere near the edge I nearly wet myself. Let tourists go see them if they want to and by all means promote them abroad. Although I doubt very much at this stage if tourist boards in the UK are promoting Beachy Head, pretty and all as it is or if the Californians are having big campaigns to promote walking across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Arthurdaly

Clare is probably the most beautiful part of of ireland if not the world and we have negative people draging in down.

Ive been to most corners of this world and clare ranks very high, press the button!

Lady Chatterton

Balagan, I completely understand where you are coming here. I too have known people who have ended their lives at the cliffs and I agree that is a very sad place for lots and lots of people. However, people unfortunately die on ours roads every Bank Holiday weekend but we don't all stay indoors and refuse to drive on bank holidays, life has to go on. While understandably for some people the cliffs are a very painful place to visit, however, for lots of tourists who visit they are appreciated for the wonderful natural attraction that they are.

I started this thread purely because I believe that the Cliffs are a wonderful attraction and if they made it on the 7 wonders list, it might bring much needed tourism to our county and our country.

overshoot

i dont mind this being done to bring tourists to Ireland but there are cliffs is two different parts of the country that are 3 times higher. Sliabh League in Donegal and Croaghaun on Achill, and neither of these 2 come anywhere near top of the list in world heights. They are just another set of cliffs unfortunately, not a wonder of the world

mikom

Cliffs of Moher 10 years ago maybe.
Not now.

Lady Chatterton

overshoot wrote: »

i dont mind this being done to bring tourists to Ireland but there are cliffs is two different parts of the country that are 3 times higher. Sliabh League in Donegal and Croaghaun on Achill, and neither of these 2 come anywhere near top of the list in world heights. They are just another set of cliffs unfortunately, not a wonder of the world

I'd say that the Cliffs of Moher are more accessible to tourists than the other beautiful cliffs that you have mentioned and that is probably a factor in their selection as Ireland's nomination for the Seven Wonders List.

MyKeyG

There are a lot of comments about there being other cliffs in the world but how many cliffs 'throughout the world' enjoy the same level of popularity and fame? They must have something that gives them a unique spectacularity. I don't know what it is but maybe therein lies the wonder.

I have to say though a lot of the comments concerning the visitor centre and car park are ridiculous. The cliffs are up for vote not the project, try to keep this in perspective.

Clareman

I never get the whole "there are other xxxx" in other places, most places are unique, the Grand Canyon isn't just a hole in the ground, New York isn't just another city, the Eiffel Tower isn't just another tower, Wembley isn't just another stadium, they are unique places that have their own magic.

tatoo

fryup wrote: »

a wonder of the world

its just high cliffs one of many throughout the world

in much the same way as the Angel Falls is just another waterfall ?

peanuthead

If you want to vote, vote

If you don't want to vote, don't.

I voted. Personally, I think it will be great for tourism - and we need all the tourism we can get.

Le_Dieux

Arthurdaly wrote: »

Clare is probably the most beautiful part of of ireland if not the world and we have negative people draging in down.

Ive been to most corners of this world and clare ranks very high, press the button!

Sorry, must take You to task here AD.

NOBODY is saying negative things about Co. Clare, certainly not me. If there is anybody dragging Clare down, its the authorities running the COM. They are the people who have screwed Joe Public with their pricings, they are the ones who brought this negativity upon themselves.

Also, certainly as far as I am concerned, the shenanigans by CCC regarding the COM has always been seperated from everywhere else in Co. Clare & yes I agree with You, Clare IS the most beautiful county in Ireland.

One other thing: You say 'press the button', that mean You condone paying 2$ for the 'privelidge'? As far as I can see, that money goes nowhere near the upkeep of the COM, nor probably even back into Ireland in any format,

MyKeyG wrote:
I have to say though a lot of the comments concerning the visitor centre and car park are ridiculous. The cliffs are up for vote not the project, try to keep this in perspective.

I am sorry, but for me, its the project that has drawn all the negativity onto the COM due to the running costs which the project has dictated the costs to. I think it's impossible to seperate one from the other.

I will always go to Co. Clare - love the place. But I will also always avoid the COM while it's charging the prices it does.

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

One other thing: You say 'press the button', that mean You condone paying 2$ for the 'privelidge'? As far as I can see, that money goes nowhere near the upkeep of the COM, nor probably even back into Ireland in any format

I was just wondering where does the $2 charge come in? I was on this website www.new7wonders.com/n7w and I voted free of charge

GCU Flexible Demeanour

Sorry to be negative, and obviously people should vote if they feel like it. But I won't be voting for it.

With all due respects to people's sensitivities, I'd hate to think that someone would visit the Cliffs of Moher and feel that was the best the country had to offer them.

Le_Dieux

MrsD007 wrote: »

I was just wondering where does the $2 charge come in? I was on this website www.new7wonders.com/n7w and I voted free of charge

I just checked the site again, and it clearly states on the 4th line on the page 'price.............2.00 USD'. I also notice towards the bottom of the page on the right are 2 buttons: 1 is for 'preview' and the other button is for 'Buy Now'. I proceeded no further, as ( for me ) this was just another 'exercise' to get folk to spend money.

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

I just checked the site again, and it clearly states on the 4th line on the page 'price.............2.00 USD'. I also notice towards the bottom of the page on the right are 2 buttons: 1 is for 'preview' and the other button is for 'Buy Now'. I proceeded no further, as ( for me ) this was just another 'exercise' to get folk to spend money.

Thanks Le Dieux - You can vote here free of charge - http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2. The cert seems to be an extra. My family and I all voted for free.

Le_Dieux

MrsD007 wrote: »

Thanks Le Dieux - You can vote here free of charge - http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2. The cert seems to be an extra. My family and I all voted for free.

Without wanting to come across petty MrsD, this site address is totally different to the one originally furnished by Yourself.

As I have stated before on numerous occasion, I LOVE Co. Clare. I am just totally anti COM. So NO, I won't be voting

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

Without wanting to come across petty MrsD, this site address is totally different to the one originally furnished by Yourself.

As I have stated before on numerous occasion, I LOVE Co. Clare. I am just totally anti COM. So NO, I won't be voting

Le Dieux - thanks for pointing that out, I can see where you are coming from. If you notice there is a tab on that page entitled "Vote" that was what I was directing people to, but I should have used a direct link http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2.

We have actually spoken about the COM a few times and really we are on the same page, I love the COM but I haven't been to visit in a few years because of the charges. I voted for the cliffs in the hope that if they made it on to the list, it might bring more visitors to the county/country.

Le_Dieux

MrsD007 wrote: »

Le Dieux - thanks for pointing that out, I can see where you are coming from. If you notice there is a tab on that page entitled "Vote" that was what I was directing people to, but I should have used a direct link http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2.

We have actually spoken about the COM a few times and really we are on the same page, I love the COM but I haven't been to visit in a few years because of the charges. I voted for the cliffs in the hope that if they made it on to the list, it might bring more visitors to the county/country.

Thanks MrsD. It kills me to knock anything that demeans our beautiful counties/country.

I just find it very hard to compliment a place where the authorities have done everything in their power to bleed the public out of their hard earned monies.

Good luck, though, with Your poll.

Lady Chatterton

Thanks Le Dieux - I hope that you and your family enjoy many more visits to Co. Clare. As side from the COM, I hope you will always feel welcome - we aren't a bad lot down here

Zillah

tatoo wrote: »

in much the same way as the Angel Falls is just another waterfall ?

No, Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world.

Le_Dieux

MrsD007 wrote: »

Thanks Le Dieux - I hope that you and your family enjoy many more visits to Co. Clare. As side from the COM, I hope you will always feel welcome - we aren't a bad lot down here

Oh I will ALWAYS bring our overseas visitors down there MrsD. Only difference now is I turn left when we hit Kilkee, not right as in the past. The scenery down towards the Head is AWESOME - guess I have to thank the authorities from the COM for 'forcing' me to turn in that direction LOL But seriously, I have nothing but HAPPY memories of Co. Clare. And yes, there is so MUCH MORE than the Cliffs - one can think of Bunratty ( where we go nearly every year, and one can spend the whole day there), the medieval banquet I personally would recommend to anyone, and yes I discovered Meade there - WHAT A DRINK. I also live around Lisdoon, and then of course Doolin, a favourite haunt of mine in another lifetime:-)

As a matter of interest, how are the numbers for visiting the COM this year, any idea? I sure would love to think, by me, and possibly others staying away, we can force their hand into rethinking their pricing strategy. I miss the Cliffs. Standing in front of the Tower was like a 'fix' for me;-)

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

As a matter of interest, how are the numbers for visiting the COM this year, any idea? I sure would love to think, by me, and possibly others staying away, we can force their hand into rethinking their pricing strategy. I miss the Cliffs. Standing in front of the Tower was like a 'fix' for me;-)

I just had a look at the COM website and according to a press release in July 2011, visitor numbers are up.

Visitor Numbers Increase At Cliffs Of Moher - Nine jobs created as new café opens

Date: 05-Jul-2011

Visitor numbers at the Cliffs of Moher visitor attraction in County Clare jumped by 19% in the first six months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.

Figures released today show that visitor numbers hit 345,398 in the first half of the year, which typically accounts for 40% of overall annual visitors to the world famous visitor attraction. Visitor numbers also jumped last month to 107,740 from 96,462 in June 2010, an increase of 12%.

The announcement by management at the Cliffs coincides with the creation of nine new jobs as a result of a new deli style café, Cliffs View Café, which has been officially launched this week.

According to Katherine Webster, Director of Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience: “We are delighted with the significant increase in visitor numbers to the Cliffs this year. The increase is especially noteworthy considering the poor weather conditions experienced in May and June in particular. The provision of visitor facilities such as the exhibition centre and our new café have ensured that the Cliffs of Moher is further establishing itself as an attractive year-round visitor destination, irrespective of the weather conditions.”

Meanwhile, a deli style cafe has been launched by Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd. on the first floor of the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. It replaces the Long Dock restaurant, operated by Moher Restaurants Ltd., which ceased trading in early June. An additional nine new jobs have been created. Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd. now has a total of 50 employees making it one of the largest employers in the North Clare area.

Ms. Webster said the new café “will further enhance the overall visitor experience at the Cliffs of Moher”.

She added: “Cliffs View Cafe is operated by Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd. and the focus is on good value and locally sourced food. The cafe is focussing on offering a selection of the fantastic local food products available in County Clare and includes local spring water, cheeses, baked good, smoked fish, ice-cream and fruit and vegetables among the fare on offer. The Cafe can seat 100 and free Wi-Fi is on offer throughout the area.”

The jump in visitor numbers and the opening of the new cafe will serve as a welcome boost to the Cliffs of Moher’s bid to be named one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’.

Among the other shortlisted sites are the Amazon Rainforest (South America), Table Mountain (SA), Bay of Fundy (CA), Black Forest (G), Vesuvius (IT), Galapagos Islands (EC), The Great Barrier Reef (AU) and The Grand Canyon (USA).
The results will be announced on 11th November 2011.

-ENDS-

http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/NewsDetail.aspx?article=280347&type=press

mikemac

Le_Dieux wrote: »

Oh I will ALWAYS bring our overseas visitors down there MrsD. Only difference now is I turn left when we hit Kilkee,

I always get mixed up between Kilrush and Kilkee

One of them anyway or possibly both you can charter fishing boats to bring you out for day

Extremely popluar for stag weekends, it's known around Ireland

They let you load up the boat with cans
A little bit of fishing is done during the day also

MyKeyG

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

Sorry to be negative, and obviously people should vote if they feel like it. But I won't be voting for it.

With all due respects to people's sensitivities, I'd hate to think that someone would visit the Cliffs of Moher and feel that was the best the country had to offer them.

What would you offer them?

pappyodaniel

This footage was on Nationwide last week, hillarious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JLE43InBzU

GCU Flexible Demeanour

MyKeyG wrote: »

What would you offer them?

I'm not completely clear what you are asking; is the focus of your question if there is some way of presenting the Cliffs that might make some of us feel like supporting this campaign, or are you asking what I'd see as potentially more interesting?

If its the first, I can't think of anything much to say. For what its worth, I think we tend to oversell the rural/scenery angle. Increasingly, aren't people saying that more populated countries like France and even Britain have made a better fist of preserving their rural environment. The 'rugged, unspoilt countryside' line might have had some currency twenty years ago. But not so much now.

Depending on the interests of the visitor, I'd potentially suggest Newgrange as something that you won't find in Florida. In Clare, I'd probably suggest taking the ferry to Inishere as worth doing. Again depending on the visitor, I'd warn them not to expect thatched cottages, the sound of fiddles from every doorway or warm plates of boxty.

I'm not sure that rural Ireland is that interesting to outside visitors anymore. At least, not in the ways that we assume it to be. For all I know, the best selling point for Clare might be the surf.

chucken1

We didnt make the top 7

BUT well done on being in the top 28

MyKeyG

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

I'm not completely clear what you are asking; is the focus of your question if there is some way of presenting the Cliffs that might make some of us feel like supporting this campaign, or are you asking what I'd see as potentially more interesting?

If its the first, I can't think of anything much to say. For what its worth, I think we tend to oversell the rural/scenery angle. Increasingly, aren't people saying that more populated countries like France and even Britain have made a better fist of preserving their rural environment. The 'rugged, unspoilt countryside' line might have had some currency twenty years ago. But not so much now.

Depending on the interests of the visitor, I'd potentially suggest Newgrange as something that you won't find in Florida. In Clare, I'd probably suggest taking the ferry to Inishere as worth doing. Again depending on the visitor, I'd warn them not to expect thatched cottages, the sound of fiddles from every doorway or warm plates of boxty.

I'm not sure that rural Ireland is that interesting to outside visitors anymore. At least, not in the ways that we assume it to be. For all I know, the best selling point for Clare might be the surf.

Well you said

With all due respects to people's sensitivities, I'd hate to think that someone would visit the Cliffs of Moher and feel that was the best the country had to offer them.

So if not the Cliffs then where? You must have somewhere particular in mind if you said it. We're talking about natural wonders. Newgrange is man made so it can hardly be considered.

There's a reason why TCOM have featured in movies, music videos and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year where other sights are not.

If anything I think that gives them even more wonder status because to be truly honest I don't get it either.

Balagan

Some serious issues have been raised about this competition.

Competition for seven wonders of natural world runs into trouble
Organisers of contest to choose seven wonders accused of asking for millions for marketing, despite entry fee of $199
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/10/competition-seven-wonders-natural-world-trouble

And the seven winners are apparently only provisional winners...

The Amazon rainforest, Vietnam's Halong Bay and Argentina's Iguazu Falls were named among the world's new seven wonders of nature, according to organizers of a global poll.

The other four crowned the world's natural wonders are South Korea's Jeju Island, Indonesia's Komodo, the Philippines' Puerto Princesa Underground River and South Africa's Table Mountain, said the New7Wonders foundation, citing provisional results.

Final results will be announced early 2012, said the Swiss foundation, warning there may yet be changes between the provisional winners and the final list....
http://news.discovery.com/earth/new-seven-natural-wonders-111112.html

GCU Flexible Demeanour

MyKeyG wrote: »

Well you said So if not the Cliffs then where? You must have somewhere particular in mind if you said it. We're talking about natural wonders. Newgrange is man made so it can hardly be considered.

I didn't have anywhere 'natural' in mind in particular. It's just I don't see the cliffs as outstanding. Ben Bulben, Glendalough, parts of West Cork that I don't know the name of, would be just a few 'landscapey' things that seem as good.

However, my point is a bit broader than that. My point is I wouldn't necessarily suggest any of those things to a visitor, depending on their interests - which is not the same as saying there is nothing worth seeing here. That's why I mention Newgrange and the ferry to Inishere as things that might actually interest a visitor.

MyKeyG

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

However, my point is a bit broader than that. My point is I wouldn't necessarily suggest any of those things to a visitor, depending on their interests - which is not the same as saying there is nothing worth seeing here. That's why I mention Newgrange and the ferry to Inishere as things that might actually interest a visitor.

OK well I suppose the competition aside there are a few places, though a proud Clare man, that I would choose over COM. Bear in mind I see them on average three times a year so I might just be used to them. Personally I'd send visitors on the road to Dingle through Connor Pass, easily the most picturesque part of Ireland.

Lady Chatterton

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

I didn't have anywhere 'natural' in mind in particular. It's just I don't see the cliffs as outstanding. Ben Bulben, Glendalough, parts of West Cork that I don't know the name of, would be just a few 'landscapey' things that seem as good.

+ for Ben Bulben & Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo. I'm a regular visitor to Sligo

I think Clare has alot to recommend it though

Surfing in Lahinch
Flora and Fauna of the Burren
Great beaches - Lahinch, Kilkee, Spanish Point.
Dolphin Watching in Carraigaholt
Golf Courses - Doonbeg, Lahinch
Loophead Pennisula
Lough Derg
Traditional Music sessions in Doolin
and loads more.......................................

Le_Dieux

There is a mountain up in Slgio which is a mini Table Mountain in Cape Town...AWESOME. Is that Ben Bulben MrsD?

Re all that You list in Co. Clare, if there is anyone looking at this who is contemplating going down there, i can vouch for all the spots MrsD has nominated. The only two I haven't done yet that You mention are the dolphin spotting & the surfing ( guess I'm too old for that now:-(), but may I also add Bunratty to Your List? It IS in Co. Clare, right? Personally, we love spending an enitre day walking the village when the weather isa warmer.

Lovely County, lovely people, what more could a person ask for?

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

There is a mountain up in Sligo which is a mini Table Mountain in Cape Town...AWESOME. Is that Ben Bulben MrsD?

Yes, Le_Dieux that is Ben Bulben Mountain, it is one of my favourite spots in Ireland but lots of people haven't heard about it. WB Yeats even wrote a poem about the mountain entitled - "Under Ben Bulben".

Here are some pictures. (Please forgive me Clareman, I know that strictly speaking they belong in the Sligo forum but with lots of people holidaying at home these days, Ben Bulben may be a spot that some Clare people might like to consider visiting :D )

may I also add Bunratty to Your List? It IS in Co. Clare, right? Personally, we love spending an enitre day walking the village when the weather is warmer.

Yes, Bunratty is most definitely in Clare. I'm a big fan of the Folk Park myself, I currently have an annual family membership card so we get to visit on a regular basis. My five year old loves the place, they have lots of new play areas for children and it makes a nice change from the usual kids activity centres

Here is a list of popular Clare sites and attractions, it may be of interest to you http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056340268

Le_Dieux

MrsD, You should be working for Bord Failte. I know the pics are not in Co. Clare, but they are simply stunning. And yes, thats the mountain I was referring to. I remember driving along a road and looking up, and thought I was back in Cape Town.

The links to Co. Clare are amazing, well worth a check out for anyone interested in one county of Our beautiful island. Go raibh mhile mhaith agat, MrsD.

The only tragedy is that the COM are not in with the other 'spots'. They would be for me, if there wasn't a feeling of being ripped off about the place.

Lady Chatterton

Le_Dieux wrote: »

MrsD, You should be working for Bord Failte.

I think I'd really like that

Le_Dieux wrote: »

Go raibh mhile mhaith agat, MrsD.

Tá fáilte romhat mo chara

MyKeyG

MrsD007 wrote: »

This looks like a nice big slice of Vienetta ice cream. So it gets my vote.

finbarrk

Anyone know when will the results of this be announced?

chucken1

Read post 38

Lady Chatterton

Cliffs fail in Wonders of Nature bid

Written by Nicola Corless

THE local economy has missed out on a major tourism boost after the Cliffs of Moher failed to make it into the New 7 Wonders of Nature last Friday.

Initially, 440 places were identified as contenders for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This was narrowed down to 77, before a further round of public voting brought the Cliffs onto the final shortlist of 28.

An unexpected early announcement of the top ranking 14 candidates in the New 7 Wonders of Nature global contest were announced at 4pm on Friday, November 11, 2011. The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s only finalist in the global campaign, was not one of the final 14.

The provisional list of the New 7 Wonders of Nature was then released later that evening. It named Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Table Mountain as the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

While the results are described as “provisional” it seems unlikely the Cliffs could jump more than seven places in any recount.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes acknowledged that making it to the final seven of 440 was going to be a tough task.

“Of course, we’re disappointed that the Cliffs of Moher didn’t make it to the final seven but it was always going to be a huge challenge given the relative sizes of the population versus some of the successful candidates. More people than ever have heard of the Cliffs of Moher now and we will certainly look forward to welcoming them to Clare in the years ahead,” he said.

“All of us in Clare know the Cliffs of Moher is a special place and this campaign has put the Cliffs of Moher on the must-see list of many potential visitors to Ireland. The campaign has resulted in excellent exposure for the cliffs, for Clare and for the West of Ireland. The cliffs’ involvement in the contest has already benefited the local tourism economy,” he added.

The Cliffs of Moher vote, which gained significant momentum in the final weeks of the campaign, was not sufficient to overtake the front-runners.
Ennis, county town of Clare, is twinned with Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, where the Grand Canyon also missed out on a Top 14 spot. The Bay of Fundy in Canada, which had linked with the Clare landmark early this year, was not named in the list either.

Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Katherine Webster congratulated the winners and paid tribute to all those who had supported the cliffs campaign over the four years of the contest.

“We have been delighted to have the Cliffs of Moher contending for a spot in the New 7 Wonders of Nature and we know that a great number of Irish people and members of the Irish diaspora around the world weighed in with their support. We congratulate the top 14 candidates and the eventual winning seven.
“Supporters [of the cliffs] included public figures who endorsed the campaign; State agencies, who promoted it nationally and globally; members of the national and local media, who gave considerable coverage to the contest and members of the local tourism industry, who put a considerable amount of work and resource into promoting the cliffs’ position.

“We are currently working on further enhancing the overall tourist product and look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to the Cliffs of Moher, to what is one of the natural wonders of the world.”

The New 7 Wonders of Nature contest was organised by the Swiss non-profit New 7 Wonders Foundation, an organisation who in 2007 completed a previous campaign to choose the New 7 manmade Wonders of the world.

The foundation has announced plans to release verified voting tallies in the coming days and they are already planning for their next voting campaign – New 7 Wonders Cities.

http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8213:cliffs-fail-in-wonders-of-nature-bid&catid=74:general&Itemid=60

28th out of 440 contenders isn't bad though.