On both trips we got to visit the nearby Cliffs of Moher (pronounced 'more')  These cliffs are amazing!  Seeing pictures is one thing, but being there is AWE-some.  The cliffs are located just south of Galway, in County Clare.  They are 600 feet tall and run for about 5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean.  You can walk along the edge- but seriously, be careful.  A few days after we visited in 2003, a girl from a tour group fell over the edge!

Atop the Cliffs of Moher is O'Brien's Tower.  It's a small tower structure with a gift shop inside.  You can also pay to go to the top...but really, you are already 600 feet on top of the cliffs, what is a few more feet?  Viewing the tower from the other end of the cliffs really gives you a sense of how tall they actually are...see the picture below.

The Cliffs of Moher are a big tourist attraction for the west coast of Ireland.  The water is a gorgeous blue and there were wildflowers popping up along the edge.  The photo ops here are innumerable.   You can explore along either side of the cliffs.  Bring your camera and prepare to stay for at least an hour- and bundle up- its VERY windy and therefore chilly.