Ellie Reynaud
Well, here I am back in Dublin after three weeks work experience in County Clare, Cliffs of Moher Experience. What can I say?
Out of my comfort zone? Yes, absolutely! Challenges? Most definitely!
Day 1.
Ok, bad start. On top of going to somewhere new to work, my car was giving me trouble!
However, once I got to work, it was an absolute joy! The days consisted of 8 and a half hour shifts, five days a week with two days off. No day is the same, no job is the same. The best thing about it was the fact that the duty you had to perform changed every two hours so you weren’t stuck doing the same job all day long. Also, the people I shadowed (without naming them all!) were all ladies and gentlemen!
So, I arrive at the Visitors Centre and am greeted with a lovely smile by a lady who calls the Duty Manager and while I wait, I walk around the exhibition and watch videos on the screens in the exhibition. The Duty Manager arrives and takes me to the basement where she fits me with a uniform and gives me a fob. The fob gives me access all areas so I was delighted with myself!

I am then introduced to another lady, she spends the day with me, going through the FAQ’s, telling me what the job entails and about the way the place is run. She then brings me around the building showing me the different areas of the building. The “behind the scenes” kind of thing that visitors wouldn’t see! I get a two way radio (what a life saver) and she takes me to the Pod. The pod is the coach building where the tour buses arrive; she shows me what the procedure is and pre-printed tickets for the coach passengers are handed to the tour guide. Then we spend time in the Cabin, in the car park there are 3 cabins, 1,2,3. This is where cars come to park and the visitors purchase their tickets for the site. The day goes so quickly, then it’s home time.
Day 2 dawns and as we’re in Ireland and the wesht (I spell it like that ‘cos that’s how they say it in Clare!) in typical fashion, it is raining! I arrive early and grab a coffee. Staff rates for a coffee? Oooh, I love the sound of that! I can see myself drinking lots of this stuff! So, my day begins on administration with a different gentleman today. Once all the emails have been answered and sorted through, he explains a bit about the Visitors Centre and the daily goings on; dealing with visitors if they need questions answered, using the PC for google, handing out binoculars, and the first aid room. Then, it was down to the Pod, where I learned how to print tickets for the coaches. Finally, the part I loved most, up to O’Brien’s Tower, watching people, making sure the tower doesn’t get too crowded as people go up and down the spiral staircase, answering questions, describing how the tower came to be and why it’s there, what it was used for etc. (In case some of you didn’t know it was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a wealthy local landlord and MP. It was used as a folly for entertainment (afternoon tea) and as an observation point for the English tourists who frequented the area at the time.)
Then, down to the car park cabin with another hilarious gentleman – he should have been a comedian! Anyway, he showed me how to print tickets when cars came into the car park, (there’s different ways to do that as some visitors may have booked online or received complementary tickets from the place they are staying in) then there was some more work in administration and then back to the Pod. Then, you guessed it … home time!
So, my days go like this until I get a day off! Oh yes, not one but two! I get my car sorted out, had to call the AA, did a bit of shopping, made lunch and then… crashed out on the couch! I’d started out with a head cold before I left for County Clare and with the anxiety of beginning work experience and my car giving out to me, I needed the sleep! When I awoke two and a half hours later, I felt like a different person, I went for a walk in the afternoon. why? Well, this is Ireland and guess what? It rains! It had been wet, wet, wet all morning!
Anyway, day 6 comes, you would think that my job was just outside dealing with people, but (isn’t there always a but?!) that behind the scenes thing that I mentioned earlier? Well, that’s where the fun begins! The house-keeping part, ie cleaning toilets, cleaning the lift and surrounding areas, litter-picking etc. Yes, it is also part of the job, taking pride in the centre so people are comfortable coming to the Cliffs of Moher Experience. Actually, Day 6 was St. Patrick’s Day and the lady I spent the first day with,I told you about her earlier? Well, she is into photography like me and asked the management if I could join her to photograph a wedding proposal! The couple were taking a tour of the vicinity and we went up to O’Brien’s Tower to capture the moment. (She said yes by the way!) I also chatted with some visitors from the USA giving them information about Clare, but also Dublin! Well, they asked, so, yes I did, I couldn’t help myself being the proud Dub that I am!
My days for three weeks were like this, I didn’t want it to end! The weather didn’t exactly play ball while I was there, but it didn’t really matter. I hardly noticed it. But, there was one day, the day after my birthday, the weather was lovely in the early morning, however, by lunchtime the heavens opened up again! So I went for a drive, and on my way back, there was ferocious thunder and lightning! Where I was staying was right on the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean, I thought I’d have a heart attack! Thunder & lightening and an angry sea, the vast open space of the ocean. I love open spaces but this thunderstorm really freaked me out, I was so afraid! But I got over it and here I am to tell the tale!
And then, my work placement ended. My time there was up. I now miss the sound of the ocean – especially when she’s angry. It was three weeks of wonderful enjoyment, being with likeminded people. Everyone who works there seems to be always smiling.
And do you want to know the best part? They’ve offered me a job when I am finished my course. I even hope to get back there to volunteer during my week off. Yes, my week’s holiday from studying and I want to go back there to work!
Every day had it’s challenges and my next challenge lies ahead of me. Better get cracking. Bye!

– Ellie