One of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions, County Clare's Cliffs of Moher, has been boosted with a newly upgraded tower.

Overlooking the famous cliffs, O'Brien Tower was first built in 1835 by local landowner and Member of Parliament Cornelius O'Brien. It also boasts views of the Clare, the Kerry mountains, Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.

Clare County Council led the restoration works in an effort to enhance the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

Mid West Lime Ltd was contracted to carry out renovation works including the removal and replacement of existing stair enclosure, staircases and windows and the application of a lime wet dash externally as well as the repair of the internal face of the stone fabric of the tower.

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Welcoming the reopening of the tower, the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Cathal Crowe said: "The completion of these restoration works ensures safe and secure access for the public to this strategic viewing location while at the same time preserving one of the most historic and well known buildings in Clare."

Geraldine Enright, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, added: "O'Brien's Tower is a vital part of our local heritage and this restoration work ensures the conservation of this protected structure which forms part of the draw for visitors from all over the world to the Cliffs of Moher.

"The tower was suffering from water ingress as a consequence of its very exposed location. Due to concern for the long term damage and also visitor safety, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience carried out repairs and interventions. We applied a lime render to the exterior in an effort to stop water penetrating through the wall. The tower was most likely rendered when it was built almost two centuries ago."

(CM/MH)