Tourists Enjoying Wild Atlantic Way Despite Rain

Heavy rain battered the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare throughout the day, forcing the closure of coastal walks for the hundreds of holidaymakers who came to visit the tourist spot on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Many availed of the interactive exhibition in the visitor centre as they spoke about the cost of holidaying in Ireland.

Seamus MacDougall and his mother Stacey had fun superimposing themselves on scenic backdrops in the newly added photo booth.

\"We travelled from Boston USA and it's our first trip to Ireland. Sure the weather isn’t great but we kinda expected that and we’re having the best time regardless.

\"It’s expensive alright but no more so than Boston. And best of all there’s no big tipping culture so that’s a saving straightaway!\"

The tourists gave their views after the Central Statistics Office reported a 10% drop in foreign visitors to Ireland in May compared to the same month last year.

The figures show that 560,000 tourists arrived in the State last month.

CSO Statistician Gregg Patrick said that visitors' expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) was €477m in May.

Joe Anderton, Tristan Joy and Will McCartney, from London, are on a biking and camping holiday.

\"We’re on an amazing cycle tour which started off in Rosslare and on to Dublin, Belfast, around the coast, and now we're heading south, heading down to Dingle in the next few days.\"

Will says they are on an economy trip but it is still proving expensive.

\"We’re on our bikes and we don't have any cooking equipment. So we're living off ham rolls, cheese rolls and campsites as well, which is very, very expensive. You're looking about €30 minimum a day.\"

On a positive note, the boys say the price of a pint is cheaper than in England and the Guinness tastes better! We’ll be back!\"

Jose and Luci Manuel, from Mexico, say they really notice how expensive everything is in Ireland.

\"We’re a Latin American country and we’re poor by continental European standards. We have saved very hard to visit Ireland but we’re shocked at the price of accommodation and food and drink.

\"For example, a Holiday Inn type motel in Ireland is triple the cost of the same accommodation in Mexico.

\"Apart from that Ireland is a beautiful country and the people are so friendly. I don’t think we could afford to come back a second time though.\"

Naomi Lin, from New York, is visiting Ireland with her parents. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders at the cost of holidaying here.

\"Hey you know my home town is about the most expensive city you can live in so the prices in Ireland aren’t really affecting us too badly.

\"We’ve been looking forward to this holiday for a long time so we came with the expectation of spending money!

\"I love it here. The cliffs are stunning even if it feels like torrential downpours all day! I would certainly come back here to visit.\"

According to the source: RTE.ie.