By Luke Hurson

An inspection of the Cliffs of Moher walking trail carried out by Sport Ireland has found that some visitors were not equipped for conditions and engaged in reckless behaviour close to the cliff edge.  

The most recent incident at the cliffs happened on November 9 after a woman’s body was recovered from the base of a cliff in Co Clare following a multi-agency operation. 

Sport Ireland has a responsibility for developing walking trails across the country, and for promoting a variety of outdoor and recreational activities to encourage people to become active outdoors. The organisation conducted the inspection in mid-August. 

The inspection happened after two young people tragically lost their lives in the area in July. 

Sport Ireland discovered that a large amount of visitors were choosing to ignore the warning signs and walk dangerously close to the edge.  

Many of the visitors were straying off the official path due to sections of the walk that were too narrow to cater for the number of visitors walking in both directions. In one case attendees of a humanist wedding were found to be standing close to the cliff edge with their backs to the edge and the water below.  

The report also found the trail was unsuitable for the type of people it was attracting and that the inspector saw multiple examples of dangerous or risky behaviour. 

The inspector’s view was that the trail “be closed immediately” to make it safe, according to a copy of the report that was released under freedom of information laws. 

In a statement sent to The City Sport Ireland said; “Following Sport Ireland’s recent inspection of The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Trail, several safety issues were identified along the trail. 

In agreement with Clare Local Development Company, which manages the trail, these issues were deemed serious enough to require urgent attention.” 

The visitor centre at the famous cliffs, along with 800m on either side, is managed by Clare County council, but it does not manage the cliff walk. 

The coastal walk is managed instead by Clare Local Development Company (CDLC), which is responsible for its maintenance and negotiates with local landowners. 

Sport Ireland added: “The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Trail is included on the National Trails Register and is on the connected Public Liability Insurance Policy, which is managed by Sport Ireland Outdoors. Sport Ireland Outdoors inspects the trails on the National Trails Register periodically to ensure they continue to meet the required standards. 

To remain on this register, any safety issues reported during these inspections must be resolved within 30 days of the inspection date. 

The Cliffs of Moher are a key tourist attraction in Ireland, with the connected coastal trail attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Therefore, in managing these remedial works, Clare Local Development Company have structured their plans to allow sections of the trail to remain open while other parts are closed for renovations. 

Clare Local Development Company have successfully addressed all safety issues in the areas of the trail that remain open.” 

They concluded: “Sections of the trail with unresolved safety issues are now closed to the public until they are addressed.” 

So how can people be safer when walking along coastal trails? 

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity that saves lives at sea in the Ireland and the UK and The City reached out to them for coastal waking advice. 

A spokesperson from RNLI said; “be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations; it is not just high cliff edges that are a risk. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.” 

“Take care when walking in dark and slippery conditions. Always take a means of calling for help and always check the weather and tides. Getting cut off by the tide is a common cause of lifeboat launches. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.” 

The Irish Coast Guard is another group that saves lives at sea. They are a part of the Department of Transport. The Coast Guard main roles include maritime safety and search and rescue.  

Below is a clip of the Coast Guard carrying out a rescue on a cliff edge, courtesy of Irish Coast Guard on X: