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Tailored Talks & Walking Tours
 

Cormac's Coast

Tailored Talks & walking Tours

 
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About Me

 

Hello there. My name is Cormac McGinley and here's a little background information about me and what I do. 

I grew up in the small fishing and farming community of Teelin, County Donegal on Irelands North West Atlantic coast, under the shadow of Slieve League - some of Europes highest sea cliffs.

Ours was a fishing family in Donegal. My father’s family were from small uninhabited islands off the Atlantic coast and my mother was reared in Derry.

I studied Zoology, Marine Biology, some geology and paeleontology at Aberdeen University Scotland.

Traveled extensively and still do any chance I get.

I spent 5 weeks at Gerald Durrell's world famous Jersey Zoo studying endangerd animals and their reintroduction.



• 11 years as a Ranger at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

• Worked as the education officer at the cliffs of moher visitor centre, setting up their education and conservation programmes and providing information on flora and fauna in their award winning exhibition area.

• Was responsible for most of their specialist tours (everything from university groups to v.i.p.s and royalty), training up staff at the visitor centre on flora, fauna and geology for delivering tours and answering guests questions.

• Was involved in assisting with the set up of the "Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Geopark.

I have extensive touring experience and specialise in delivering high level content on Fauna, Flora, Geology and History and Heritage of the Cliffs of Moher and Burren area.


 
 
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"Common Brittle Star" faster than your average starfish ☄ County Clare, Ireland. Cormacscoast.com Walking tours
 
 
A maze of tracks left by feeding Limpets, periwinkles and other marine gastrpods on this rock - can anyone match tracks with species? Cormacscoast.com Walking tours #wildatlanticway #walkingtours #failteireland #discoverireland #fillyourheartwith
 

 

Our Services

 
 

Tours

Tours generally last for a duration of Three to Four hours, although can run longer depending on weather and enjoyment levels. 

Tours of the Cliffs of Moher begin at one of three points

  • The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

  • Carpark at Hags Head area at the South end of the cliffs.

  • Car Park at Fisher street, Doolin at the North end of the cliffs

Advance notice of topics of interest allows for tours to be tailored to suit the specific interests of the customers.

Additional information and reading material can be provided by e-mail on request at the end of a tour.

Maximum Eight persons per Tour.


Equipment Provided

  • Binoculars are provided with a minimum of one pair per two persons.

  • Viewing loops for closer inspection of fossils are available.

  • A viewing scope is also provided to enable more intimate views of the nesting seabirds.

  • Hazel Walking sticks are also available.

Feel free to bring any of your own binoculars or scopes.


Equipment you should bring.

Bring robust hiking boots and a change of shoes for when you return as the going can get a little mucky. 

Layered clothing and rain gear (waterproofs) is a must along the West coast of Ireland as our typical weather can best be described as changeable. Allow for wind and the constant threat of rain!!

 


 

 

Talks

Talks can be delivered at any hotel with a conference room or similar facility - they generally last for an hour and consist of a photographic display and talk on the geology, wildlife and local heritage and history of the Cliffs of Moher and Burren area. Followed by a Q&A session.

Talks can be tailored to concentrate on subject matter of most interest to a particular group.

 

 

 
 
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rates

 
 

 

€200 for a half day tour (3-4 hours approx) for up to 2 people.

€75 per additional person, up to a maximum of 8.

(Please email me if you are interested in a tailored talk or tour.)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Cormac with Teelin the Collie at the Cliffs of Moher

Cormac with Teelin the Collie at the Cliffs of Moher

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about Cormac's Coast, please send us your query below.

 
 
 

Sustainability and environmental policy

With a background in marine biology and zoology and an interest in all aspects of the natural world, I endeavour to practice and promote responsible tourism during my guided tours and throughout the business. This is done in a number of ways within the principles of ecotourism mentioned below. My objective is to continue to host guided tours in a responsible manner and to keep improving my knowledge of the area in order to provide my guests with in-depth, factual information.


Leave no Trace:

  • No food is provided during tours so no litter is created.

  • In my free time, I often clear stretches of coast of litter which I bring to a waste management facility or re-purpose.

  • Tour particpants are advised of the principles of Leave no Trace at the outset of tours.

  • Tours only consist of small groups (max. 15 pax.) and we always use marked walkways.

  • Guests are reminded not to pick flowers, climb walls or monuments or move stones during tours.


Contribution to Conservation:

  • I have a close relationship with Birdwatch Ireland and have been involved in seabird, Chough and Peregrine falcon surveys for them.

  • I assist in a voluntary capacity with Hogsprickle, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in East Clare.


Strengthened Livelihoods:

  • Cormac's Coast works with other businesses within the Burren Ecotourism Network in a number of ways from staff training to assisting with tours.

  • A range of local accommodation providers and hospitality businesses are recommended to my guests.


Quality Interpretation:

  • I have a high level of knowledge on all aspects of the landscapes visited during tours which include information on the geology and natural processes that have gone into creating and shaping the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, the mammals, birds, marine life and flora that inhabit the region, the history of human habitation in the area going back thousands of years, the maritime history of the West coast and Aran islands as well as some tales of local folklore.

  • Training courses completed in the past include Burren Geology, Burrenbeo Living Landscape Symposium, local history and heritage, flora, birdlife and geology of the Cliffs of Moher.


Sustainable Environmental Management:

  • My business requires no premises and no purchasing.

  • All marketing is digital; no brochures are printed.

  • Minimal transportation is required to reach tour meeting points.


Community Engagement:

  • In conjuction with fellow Burren Ecotourism member, Doolin 2 Aran Ferries, I conduct an annual count of the seabirds nesting on the stack at the Cliffs of Moher involving local pupils from Liscannor and Doolin primary school. Through this excersise and a boat trip to view the seabird colonies, the children gain appreciation of their local wildlife and the importance of conservation.

 

Rubbish collected from local shores

 
 

Releasing a stranded puffin after a call came in to Hogsprickle Wildlife rehabilitation centre.