A VISITOR centre at Doolin cave, dedicated to the memory of the late author, Nuala O’Faoláin, was opened by her friend and broadcaster Marian Finucane yesterday.
Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin has defended controversial charges for visitors at Co Clare’s most famous tourist attraction, the Cliffs of Moher.
The decision by the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, which manages the facility, to charge €6 per adult visit has been criticised.
Ms Hanafin said the interpretative centre had cost over €30 million, and the area had to be maintained.
She described the charges as “manageable” – children were free and there were discounts for students and pensioners, she said.
At the opening yesterday of the Doolin Cave visitor centre Ms Finucane said: “Nuala loved Clare and loved the Burren and loved the Brownes.”
The cave contains one of the largest free-hanging stalactites in the world at 7m (23ft) long.
The opening of the centre follows a 20-year battle by Clare couple John and Helen Browne to have visitor facilities at the site.
Ms Browne said they had spent €1.5 million on the development.
The centre was also dedicated to Ms Browne’s late brother and former chairman of the Clare GAA county board, Fr Michael McNamara, who died last year.