Moher Tower facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moher Tower
Irish: Túr an Mhothair
Moher Tower
Former names	Moher Uí Ruis or Moher Uí Ruidhin
General information
Status	ruin
Type	signaling/watchtower
Location	Hag's Head, County Clare
Country	Ireland
Coordinates	52°56′54″N 9°28′04″W / 52.948212°N 9.467861°W / 52.948212; -9.467861
Estimated completion	c.1808

Moher Tower (which in Irish is Túr an Mhothair) is the stone ruin of an old watchtower. It stands on Hag's Head, at the very end of the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. This tower was built around the time of the Napoleonic Wars, which were a series of big conflicts in Europe.

The Tower's History

The Moher Tower you see today was built around 1808. It was placed very close to where an even older fort once stood. This older fort was known as Mothar or Moher.

Why Was It Built?

The original fort was still standing in 1780. However, it was taken down in 1808. Its stones were then used to build the new lookout tower. This new tower was needed during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). At that time, people in Ireland were worried that Napoleon might try to invade. So, many towers like Moher Tower were built along the Atlantic coast to watch for enemy ships.

How the Tower Was Built

Moher Tower is a single, almost square building. It has two small, rectangular towers (called bartizans) sticking out from the top of its eastern wall. There is also one on the western wall.

Inside the Tower

Even though it faces the strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean, the tower had fireplaces on at least two floors. This would have helped keep the people inside warm. The roof was made of dry stone, but most of it has fallen in over time.

Who Lives There Now?

In the summer, many birds, especially choughs, make the tower their home. These birds are common in the area. Sometimes, if visitors to the Cliffs of Moher get caught in a storm, the tower is used as a safe place to hide.

Gallery

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  Inside Moher Tower

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  Moher Tower on Hag's Head