O'Brien's Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids O'Brien's Tower |
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Túr Uí Bhriain
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O'Brien's Tower
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| General information | |
| Status | in use |
| Type | Observation tower |
| Location | Cliffs of Moher, Clare |
| Town or city | Liscannor |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°58′22.84″N 9°25′49.93″W / 52.9730111°N 9.4305361°W |
| Elevation | 88 m (289 ft) |
| Named for | Cornelius O'Brien |
| Opened | 1835 |
| Client | Sir Cornelius O'Brien |
| Technical details | |
| Material | limestone |
| Floor count | 3 |
O'Brien's Tower is a famous landmark. It stands at the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are a very popular place for tourists to visit in County Clare, Ireland. The tower is located near the villages of Doolin and Liscannor.
History of the Tower
O'Brien's Tower was built on the cliffs in 1835. It was constructed by a local important person named Sir Cornellius O'Brien. He was a landlord, meaning he owned a lot of land. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he was part of the government.
Why Was it Built?
Sir Cornelius O'Brien built the tower as a special viewing spot. It was made for English tourists who often visited the cliffs back then. He wanted to give them a great place to see the amazing scenery. People say it might have even been a teahouse at first. It had a big round table and iron seats inside.
Another story says that O'Brien built the tower to impress women he was trying to get to know. No matter the reason, it certainly offers incredible views!
Amazing Views from the Tower
On a clear day, you can see very far from O'Brien's Tower. You can look south all the way to Loop Head. This is the southern tip of County Clare. You can even see the mountains of County Kerry beyond that.
If you look north, you might see the Twelve Bens. These are mountains in Connemara, past Galway Bay. The Aran Islands are also usually visible to the west.
