One of County Clare’s newest destination gift and coffee shops, Moher Cottage, has beaten off stiff competition to be named as a finalist for the second year running having the ‘Best Irish Welcome’ – as voted by the public and judges in the 2020 Reader Travel Awards in the Irish Independent.
The other finalists in this category are: The Adare, Manor; Hayfield Manor, Mount Juliet and The Renvyle House Hotel.
Caitríona Considine, who owns the business with her husband Kevin near the Cliffs of Moher said she was delighted to be a finalist for the second year, especially as ‘Moher Cottage‘ only opened its doors 2 and a half years ago. But to be listed with four of Ireland’s most renowned 5* and 4* hotels who are really amazing at what they do, is just so uplifting.
“We believe we have something special here in Moher Cottage in the human touch, and so far, thankfully our customers are enjoying the experience which is so important to us”, she added.
Caitriona, who gave up her job in the corporate world to pursue her dream, notes they are still a relatively new small family business, built up from our old cow shed and pigsty on our farm in the most wonderful location in north Clare beside the majestic Cliffs of Moher but attributes her success to also a lot of hard work and support from other businesses in Clare and the community in Liscannor right from the very beginning. With some of our neighbours working with us it really is a team and community effort.” she commented.
Moher Cottage has in the last year brought the business online following requests from many of their visitors and their online store mohercottage.com now ships internationally their range of unique Irish hand-made craft and design products many of which Caitriona sourced after meeting fellow entrepreneurs on the ’ACORNS’ programme. ACORNS is a government led initiative, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to help women starting out in business in rural Ireland and Caitriona notes the ACORNS programme has been another driving force of invaluable support.
She is hopeful that ‘Moher Cottage’ will help to secure the future of the couples’ other business, ‘Considines Bar’ which is located across the road and run by her husband Kevin. The bar which has been in the family for over four generations, its first licence on record from 1868.
She said: “At one time the bar also had a shop, which stocked local produce from the area, so in a way we have come full circle with Moher Cottage.”
“We plan to continue working hard to keep moving forward to secure the future of the two businesses and are very much looking forward to the new decade, meeting locals and visitors from around the world.”
Caitriona also noted that there should be also ‘Big congratulations to the Cliffs of Moher also listed for the second year in a row as finalist for the Best Visitor Attraction. Having won this category last year they are so deserving of this recognition going into 2020.‘
Moher Cottage and the Cliffs of Moher are the only finalists from Clare again in this year’s awards but suffice to say North Clare and Clare Tourism is well represented with these two finalists.
The Irish Independent’s Pól O’Conghaile, travel editor of the Weekend magazine and independent.ie and one of the judges of these awards notes of the full finalist list ‘Think of it as a ceád míle fáilte for the 2020s… right now, we’re booking the first holidays of a new decade. These are the heroes you trust to take you there.’
The overall winner will be announced on Friday 17 January 2020 at an awards ceremony in the Mansion House.