In just few weeks,on November 11th, the final day of voting for the Cliffs of Moher as one of the new ‘Seven Wonders of the World will conclude.
Cast your vote here.
The 700 foot sea cliffs are in competition with the likes of the Amazon rain forest, the Dead Sea, the Grand Canyon, the Matterhorn, the Maldives, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Table Mountain in South Africa.
The County Clare landmark. Ireland’s number one tourist attraction, beat out 400 other sites to make the short list of 28 sites for the all important designation.
Irish Prime Minster Enda Kenny and Irish soccer manager Giovanni Trappatoni are among those helping in the final push to make the Cliffs one of the new natural wonders.
Over 345,000 visitors climbed the cliffs in the first six month of the year and if it receives the wonders of the world designation that number could be easily over a million every year.
Local politician Pat Breen says it will be a close race pointingout that one billion votes are expected tobe cast before the contest is decuded.
“I would appeal to anyone who has not cast their vote for the Cliffs of Moher” to do so,” he said
The seven locations will be chosen by votes from the public all over the world over the next two years and the winners will be announced in 2011.
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The 28 finalists were revealed in 2009 at the New7Wonders headquarters in Switzerland. At the time, Bernard Weber, founder and president of New7Wonders, said, “This is an extraordinary achievement and the eyes of the planet will be upon the Cliffs of Moher and Ireland for the next two years.”
Katherine Webster, director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, said, “So many people all over the world have the Cliffs as a special place in their heart. Even if they have not been here many people know of it and want to come here.
“We believe the Cliffs of Moher is a special place which truly merits Natural Wonder status and are thrilled that it has been recognized as a serious contender.
“We are also grateful for the nationwide support the Cliffs have received throughout this campaign. The entire country will reap the benefits if we win.”
The Cliffs are Ireland’s most popular visitor site, with almost one million visitors a year. They featured in thefilm Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Webster said they had worked very hard on promoting the Cliffs worldwide and thanked the thousands of visitors who had emailed and voted.
The competition began with over 400 nominees that were narrowed down in stages by both public vote and the votes of an expert panel.
14 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.warlocks | Nov 03, 2011, 02:05 AM EDT
The Cliffs are nothing special. Been there & Saw them.what a Rip off the Day was Cold a Fog Hung over the Cliffs. I have seen much better in America on the PCH Highway in Cal....I agree with bogsidebunny Don't waste your time or money by going out to the cliffs. you will have a better time in one of the local pubs and enjoying the company and a Pint or two . lol
bogsidebunny | Oct 28, 2011, 09:04 AM EDT
The Cliffs Of Moher are a giant rip-off. When I first visited them in 1968 there was NO parking area, NO visitior centre and NO fee. You parked your car on the side of the road and walked free. Ther wer only 3 or 4 others in the area. You could, and I did, hang over the edge. O'Brien's tower was in shambles and cows roamed the area. Now that was the way things were meant to be. Now, the Irish greed-barons have designed a money mill for the naive tourists which is on the scale of the Blarney stone, the hill of Tara and other faux-"wonders". If you must go to Ireland, do yordelf a favour, give the over-priced cliffs a miss. Or even better, scrap the Irish trip and go see the American Grand Canyon. Now that is a wonder!
OBPiper | Oct 28, 2011, 01:10 AM EDT
I visited there last August. The reality does not measure up to the legend or even to the jig. I'd be interested in experiencing the cliffs from much closer to sea level; I was atop them. MotherIrish, there are no "steep incline walks" at least not on the north end.
acemaker | Oct 27, 2011, 03:09 PM EDT
Been to the Cliffs and the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon wins by a landslide
Liamkeyes | Oct 27, 2011, 02:59 PM EDT
I heard on the grapevine that there is a number of fatal falls per year on the Cliffs of Moher. I don't know how true this rumour is. Bord Failte would'nt want this publicised for obvious reasons. Is there any truth to this???
KSERRAHN | Oct 27, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT
How do I vote. Because you've got it
Searlit | Oct 27, 2011, 12:03 PM EDT
I agree with Blackthorn62. I saw the Cliffs of Moher in 1999, 2001 & 2005. The first time I was amazed at how you could practically drive to them. The parking lot was was so open and the cliffs were so flat. There was a small visitor center which I spent quite a bit of time and money in, also. I was sad to hear, on my last trip that they were building a big new visitor center. When we went there we couldn't get anywhere near the cliffs. Now, I guess they charge to see them. Personally, I think more money is spent in the shops when there isn't an admission charge. Locals in the area, also were disturbed because what they really wanted built was a hospital!That first view was my favorite! The cliffs were semi-shrouded in mist as the the magnificent Atlantic waves met the mighty Cliffs of Moher. Although, it is a beautiful view from the cliffs, it is the sound and the feeling, of being in a place where the strong forces of nature meet that dazzles me.
Pittsburghkid | Oct 27, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT
I think the "Giant Cause Way" is better. If the Cliffs had a water fall, like Nigera Fall, or Victoria Falls, then maybe.
nancykeeley | Oct 27, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT
I agree with katieherk. Having traveled all over Ireland on numerous occasions, I think the Giant's Causeway is the most impressive and certainly unique. Sorry, Republic.
Blackthorn62 | Oct 27, 2011, 11:26 AM EDT
I voted for the Cliffs. One of the sites I came to Ireland to see and did see them. Spectacular! I liced the puffins too. Thank goodness in 1998 there was no wall. I am not even 5' tall!
katieherk | Oct 27, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT
My vote would be the Giant's Causeway!
PatMurphy | Oct 27, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT
From the photo, it looks like Moher is a wonderful place, but if you actually go there, there is a 5' tall wall that blocks most of the view! You can get a good view from the tower, but it is nowhere as nice as it was in the 90's. I for one would not recommend it unless the wall is removed or modified so it can be seen.
MotherIrish | Oct 27, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT
I would vote for the Cliffs of Mohr except unlike the Grand Canyon, it is not handicapped accessible and needs to be. What is wrong with having electric golf carts - for a small fee - run handicapped people up those steep incline walks? At the Grand Canyon, we could drive our car to various overlooks. When it becomes handicapped accessible, then I will vote for it. Giant's Causeway was more accessible by the way.
carollover | Oct 27, 2011, 09:17 AM EDT
Having traveled to every corner of Ireland, it's my opinion that Mizen Head, the Cliffs of Bunglass and Dun Aengus are more impressive than the cliffs of Moher. I think Moher gets all the publicity because it's easy to get to, just a hour's drive from Shannon. It's easy for the tour buses to get there. But I don't think it's the most impressive or commanding cliff view in Ireland.