Cliffs Of Moher Not Featured In Provisional Top 10 In Wonders Competition

Monday, 07 November 2011 13:57

Written by Pat Flynn

The iconic Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare are not featured in the provisional top 10 in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition for which international voting will end on Friday.

In 2009, the spectacular 702-foot Clare Cliffs were shortlisted along with 27 other natural attractions worldwide from an original entry of over 440 from 220 countries.

With days to go before the New 7 Wonders of Nature are announced, it has emerged that as voting stood yesterday (Sunday), the world famous Co Clare attraction is not even featured in the provisional top 10.

Ironically however, one of the entries which pulled out of the competition in August, is featured in the top 10. Indonesia withdrew is entry, the Komodo Island National Park, describing the competition organisers as “not credible” and “unaccountable.” The organising committee has however refused to recognise or accept Indonesia's withdrawal from the competition.

Revealing the current top 10 yesterday, New7Wonders spokesman Eamonn Fitzgerald, said: "In our first campaign for the man-made wonders of the world, many changes took place in the final week and days so the top 10 we have announced today will certainly change. With millions of votes still set to come in, Finalists who are not in today's top 10 could yet make it into the chosen 7."

Clare County Council Director of Services Mr Ger Dollard is still hopeful however: "We still see it as all to play for in the final few days. As with all vote-based competitions activity in the final few days will determine final outcomes. We appeal to everybody to do whatever they can to generate votes for the Cliffs of Moher in the final few days. Success in the competition will be a major boost for Ireland and Irish tourism."

"The campaign for the Cliffs has gathered significant momentum in recent weeks with the support of many high profile figures including Giovanni Trapattoni, Michael Flatley, President-elect Michael D Higgins, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar. The benefits for Ireland of making the final 7 are enormous and will deliver a major increase in international visitors to Ireland as well as increasing the country's profile in global tourism marketing and promotion," Mr Dollard added.

The top 10 Finalists as of yesterday (Sunday) were, in alphabetical order: the Dead Sea, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Jeita Grotto, Jeju Island, Komodo Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Sundarbans and Vesuvius.

The first count indicating the provisional voting result will be announced at 7:07pm on Friday, 11 November 2011.