O'Brien's Tower

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O'Brien's Tower
Túr Uí Bhriain
O'Brien's Tower 1.jpg
O'Brien's Tower
Ireland adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
General information
Statusin use
Type Observation tower
Location Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Town or city Liscannor
CountryIreland
Coordinates 52°58′22.84″N9°25′49.93″W / 52.9730111°N 9.4305361°W / 52.9730111; -9.4305361
Elevation188 m (617 ft)
Named for Cornelius O'Brien
Opened1835;189 years ago (1835)
Client Cornelius O'Brien
Technical details
Materiallimestone
Floor count3

O'Brien's Tower marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. It is located a short distance from the villages Doolin and Liscannor.

Contents

History

The tower was built on the cliffs in 1835 by local landlord and MP Cornelius O'Brien as an observation tower for the tourists who frequented the cliffs at the time: "strangers visiting the Magnificent Scenery of this neighbourhood". It is said to have initially served as a teahouse, featuring a large round table with seats of ironwork. [1] :29

On a clear day the view can extend as far as Loop Head at the southern tip of Clare and beyond to the mountains of Kerry. Looking north, the Twelve Bens in Connemara (also known as the Twelve Pins) beyond Galway Bay can be seen, and typically the Aran Islands to the west.

O'Briens Tower is just visible in this panoramic view of the Cliffs of Moher. Cliffs O'Briens Tower.jpg
O'Briens Tower is just visible in this panoramic view of the Cliffs of Moher.
Moher-OBriens-Tower-Fenced-In-2012.JPG
The plateau where the tower is located, fenced off to discourage potentially dangerous hiking.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Clare</span> County in Ireland

County Clare is a county in the province of Munster in the Southern part of the republic of Ireland, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 127,938 at the 2022 census. The county seat and largest settlement is Ennis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliffs of Moher</span> Sea cliffs in County Clare, Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They run for about 14 kilometres. At their southern end, they rise 120 metres (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and, 8 kilometres to the north, they reach their maximum height of 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs, built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien, then continue at lower heights. The closest settlements are the villages of Liscannor 6 km to the south, and Doolin 7 km to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Burren</span> Glaciated karst landscape region in northwest County Clare, Ireland

The Burren is a karst/glaciokarst landscape centred in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It measures around 530 square kilometres (200 sq mi), within the circle made by the villages of Lisdoonvarna, Corofin, Gort and Kinvara. The area includes such natural features as Mullaghmore hill and Ailladie cliffs, and historic monuments such as Poulnabrone dolmen and Caherconnell Stone Fort. The Burren National Park covers a small part of the Burren and is the smallest of the eight National Parks in Ireland, while the adjacent territory, including the Cliffs of Moher, is included in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doolin</span> Coastal village in County Clare, Ireland

Doolin is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland, on the Atlantic coast. It is southwest of the spa town of Lisdoonvarna and 4 miles from the Cliffs of Moher. It is a noted centre of traditional Irish music, which is played nightly in its pubs, making it a popular tourist destination. There are numerous nearby archaeological sites, many dating to the Iron Age and earlier. Doonagore Castle and Ballinalacken Castle are also in the area. The area was officially classified as part of the West Clare Gaeltacht prior to the 1950s, and maintains a connection with Irish-speaking areas - including via its maritime connection with the Aran Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ennistymon</span> Town in County Clare, Ireland

Ennistymon or Ennistimon is a country market town in County Clare, near the west coast of Ireland. The River Inagh, with its small rapids known as the Cascades, runs through the town, behind the main street. A bridge across the river leads to nearby Lahinch. The town is at the junction of the N67 and N85 roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lahinch</span> Seaside town in County Clare, Ireland

Lahinch or Lehinch is a small town on Liscannor Bay, on the northwest coast of County Clare, Ireland. It lies on the N67 national secondary road, between Milltown Malbay and Ennistymon, roughly 75 kilometres (47 mi) by road southwest of Galway and 68 kilometres (42 mi) northwest of Limerick. The town is a seaside resort and is home to the Lahinch Golf Club. It has become a popular surfing location.

Liscannor is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland. It is located on the R478 road between Lahinch and Doolin, close to the Cliffs of Moher. As of the 2016 census it had a population of 113.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doolin Cave</span> Cave in County Clare, Ireland

Doolin Cave is a limestone cave near Doolin in County Clare, Ireland, on the western edge of The Burren. The name is the anglicised version of the Irish name Poll an Eidhneáin, which is said to translate into "Ivy Cliff Cave". The cave attracted some controversy due to its development and marketing as a show cave in the early 21st century. It is now open to the public, branded as Doolin Cave.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moher Tower</span> Signaling/watchtower in County Clare, Ireland

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornelius O'Brien (County Clare)</span> Irish politician and landowner (1782–1857)

Cornelius O'Brien (1782–1857) was an Irish politician, Member of Parliament and landowner in County Clare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hag's Head</span> Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Hag's Head is the name given to the most southerly point of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland, where the cliffs form an unusual rock formation that resembles a woman's head looking out to sea. It provides a vantage point over much of the cliff formation.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark</span> Area of geological interest including the Burren and Cliffs of Moher

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark is an internationally designated area of geological interest in The Burren region of County Clare, Ireland. It is the third Geopark to be designated in Ireland, and is recognised at both European and global levels.

Patrick "Pakie" or "Packie" Russell was a stonecutter and a well known Irish traditional concertina player and storyteller out of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland. He was one of the three Russell brothers to earn fame as musician, together with his brothers Micho and Gussie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Atlantic Way</span> Irish coastal 2,500 km road route

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland. The 2,500 km driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killilagh</span> Civil parish in County Clare, Ireland

Killilagh or Killeilagh is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. It contains the village of Doolin.

References

  1. Roche, D. The Clare Guide - Official Irish Tourist Board Guide. Bord Failte.