O'Brien's Tower, Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

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    O'Brien's Tower marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland, located a short distance from the village Doolin, famous for its traditional Irish music.

    The tower was built on the cliffs in 1835 by local landlord Sir Cornellius O'Brien as an observation tower for the hundreds of Victorian tourists that frequented the cliffs at the time.

    Folklore holds that Sir Cornellius O'Brien was a man ahead of his time, believing that the development of tourism would benefit the local economy and bring people out of poverty. O'Brien also built a wall of Moher flagstones along the Cliffs and it is said in the locality that he built everything in the area except the cliffs. He died in 1857 and his remains lie in the O'Brien vault in the graveyard adjoining St Brigid’s Well.

    (Photo © Vincent Besanceney. See more pictures on my website at vincent.besanceney.fr.)

    1. jeffsmallwood 34 months ago | reply

      Absolutely beautiful. Was there in fall of last year and loved the area but I certainly didn't get a shot like this. Great job.

      --
      Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

    2. Patricia Ware 34 months ago | reply

      Fantastic lighting in the sky - excellent composition!
      Your fantastic shot was seen in:

       Official National Geographic Group


      Official National Geographic Group

      Thank you for sharing your photos!

    3. Vincent Besanceney 34 months ago | reply

      Thanks for the kind words.

      Jeff, I've been lucky with the weather in Ireland, with a mix of sun, clouds, and rains. It was amazing!

    4. Roger Wyrick 34 months ago | reply

      Beautiful shot. Jim Richardson would be proud of you. Great composition and exposure.

    5. Vincent Besanceney 34 months ago | reply

      Roger, thanks a lot! Don't know whether Jim would be proud of me, but for sure I will always be grateful to him.

    6. bbusschots 34 months ago | reply

      Superb shot - I just love the shafts of sunlight. Very nicely captured.

      Bart.

    7. feradz 33 months ago | reply

      Very beautiful.

    8. usman_bukhari (waiting for next adventure 33 months ago | reply

      wow...that is beautiful!!! good take

    9. ianstrain 32 months ago | reply

      Brilliant shot. I love the Sunburst!

    10. GTK! [deleted] 30 months ago | reply

      amazing! love ZEISS too ;)

    11. Enrikerfca 25 months ago | reply

      beautiful rays of light!

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