O’Brien’s Tower, the iconic landmark that stands on a headland at the mighty Cliffs of Moher, was officially re-opened today by Mayor of Clare, Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, following substantial restoration and conservation works.
The tower was built in 1835 by local landowner Cornelius O’Brien as a viewing point for the 19th century visitors which were already flocking to view the famous scenic beauty spot. It stands near the highest point of the 214 metre cliffs and is a listed building in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
During her speech at the opening the Mayor spoke about the importance of tourism to the local and national economy. “Clare County Council recognises the importance of the Cliffs of Moher not only to County Clare tourism but to the whole island of Ireland and this project to restore O’Brien’s Tower is just one more example of the considerable investment made by the Council in tourism in the county. While overseas visitors may be somewhat down we are encouraged by the number of domestic Irish visitors that are rediscovering the many attractions of a County Clare holiday” said Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn as she cut the ribbon.
The tower has been closed since the autumn of 2005 during the construction of the new visitor centre and cliff edge pathways and viewing areas. The new visitor centre opened in 2007 and subsequently an architectural assessment was conducted to establish what work was required to stabilize the tower and ensure its longevity. In autumn 2008 restoration and conservation work was begun to preserve the fabric of this important building and allow it to open to visitor access again.
The work was conducted by Taaffe Construction under the supervision of conservation specialist firm Architectural Conservation Partners. The project included treatment for biological growth, repairs to the roof and floors, the chimney and the downpipes, extensive work on the stone walls and drylining the interior walls of the main tower. Also involved were Arup Consulting Engineers and quantity surveyors Lawlor & Partners. The project team worked closely with the county Conservation Office Risteard UaCróinín on the approach that was taken in all aspects of the work on this important building.
O’Brien’s Tower, the iconic landmark that stands on a headland at the mighty Cliffs of Moher, was officially re-opened today by Mayor of Clare, Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, following substantial restoration and conservation works.
The tower was built in 1835 by local landowner Cornelius O’Brien as a viewing point for the 19th century visitors which were already flocking to view the famous scenic beauty spot. It stands near the highest point of the 214 metre cliffs and is a listed building in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
During her speech at the opening the Mayor spoke about the importance of tourism to the local and national economy. “Clare County Council recognises the importance of the Cliffs of Moher not only to County Clare tourism but to the whole island of Ireland and this project to restore O’Brien’s Tower is just one more example of the considerable investment made by the Council in tourism in the county. While overseas visitors may be somewhat down we are encouraged by the number of domestic Irish visitors that are rediscovering the many attractions of a County Clare holiday” said Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn as she cut the ribbon.
The tower has been closed since the autumn of 2005 during the construction of the new visitor centre and cliff edge pathways and viewing areas. The new visitor centre opened in 2007 and subsequently an architectural assessment was conducted to establish what work was required to stabilize the tower and ensure its longevity. In autumn 2008 restoration and conservation work was begun to preserve the fabric of this important building and allow it to open to visitor access again.
The work was conducted by Taaffe Construction under the supervision of conservation specialist firm Architectural Conservation Partners. The project included treatment for biological growth, repairs to the roof and floors, the chimney and the downpipes, extensive work on the stone walls and drylining the interior walls of the main tower. Also involved were Arup Consulting Engineers and quantity surveyors Lawlor & Partners. The project team worked closely with the county Conservation Office Risteard UaCróinín on the approach that was taken in all aspects of the work on this important building.
The Minister for Transport today published the Aviation (Pre-clearance) Bill 2009. The bill will facilitate the new US pre-clearance facilities at Shannon airport due to open in July this year (and in Dublin airport in November 2010).
Speaking today Minister Dempsey said; “The publication of this Bill marks a truly historic development in Irish-US aviation relations. From July this year Shannon airport will be the first airport outside of the Americas to offer a full pre clearance service to US bound passengers. This means that passengers on any US bound flight leaving Shannon airport from July (and Dublin airport from November 2010) can have all US immigration, customs and agricultural clearance completed before they take off thus giving them uninterrupted access through US airports on arrival. This will save passengers time, money and hassle. Currently only US immigration clearance is carried out in Dublin and Shannon airports and US bound passengers have to clear the other checks when they arrive in the US - that’s twice the queuing and twice the hassle.”
The Minister added; “I am confident that pre-clearance will bring great benefits to Shannon and Dublin airports and to the participating airlines and their passengers. Since I signed the pre-clearance agreement in Washington with the then Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff on 17 November last fantastic progress has been made and I am now in a position to publish the draft legislation that will give legal effect to that agreement.’
The basic premise of pre-clearance is that by clearing all U.S. entry procedures before leaving Ireland, aircraft originating in Ireland, or transiting through Ireland, will have a greater choice of airport destinations in the U.S. The agreement provides for the establishment of mutually acceptable standard operating procedures to be agreed between the two countries with regard to how pre-clearance will work in practice.
O’Brien’s Tower, the iconic landmark that stands on a headland at the mighty Cliffs of Moher, was officially re-opened today by Mayor of Clare, Councillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, following substantial restoration and conservation works. 
