By Whitney Snyder

GALWAY, Ireland —  When traveling to Ireland, one of the main tourist attractions is the Cliffs of Moher, located on the southwestern edge of The Burren. The Cliffs stand 214 meters at the highest point and stretch eight miles across County Clare’s Atlantic coast.

Many travelers visit these cliffs and are blown away by the beauty of Mother Nature’s finest work. Forgive the pun in the last sentence, but the winds often so strong when standing atop them that one may feel as if they will in deed blow away if they are not careful. The cliffs are known to be one of the most popular sites in all of Ireland, receiving almost one million viewers a year.

The name of the cliffs originated from an older fort called Moher that once was located at Hag’s Head. Hag’s Head is the southernmost point of where the cliffs are located.

Many tourists took advantage of the beautiful landscape that Ireland has to offer by collecting valuable shots of the scenery.

The O’Brien Tower was built in 1835 by a local landlord, Cornelius O’Brien. This tower was used as a viewing point for the tourists that came to view the Cliffs of Moher.

The author (right) and another student, Kayla Sample, enjoy the day at the Cliffs of Moher.

O’Brien’s Tower stands on a bluff at the Cliffs of Moher, commanding views south towards Hags Head and north towards Doolin. The three-story castellated observation tower is built of grey stone and has been fully restored after months of conservation work.

Not only are the cliffs a breathtaking vision, but they are also the home of 30,000 birds from 29 different species.

By Sara Dinwiddie

The Cliffs of Moher, Monday 14/5/13 as a storm is rolling in. It seems as though two entirely different days are coinciding at once on these rocky ledges as the winds knock students off their feet.

One of the many O’Brien castle ruins remaining around south-western Ireland. These ruins are perched atop a hill with rocky ledges and trees all around.

Along the limestone cliffs and plateaus on the Atlantic border are impossibilities to be admired. Here, flora from both arctic and tropical regions grows together in the same land, side by side. This phenomenon occurs in very few places in the entire world, Ireland being one of them.

This tower is the last remaining one with a square base. Located at Burren College of Art, this piece of history has been restored and taken care of by the college and now stands proud as a monument to their Irish spirit.

The winding streets of Galway make for a hot spot of youth action. The narrow roads and many pedestrian only roads give this popular destination a personal, homey vibe that invites visitors to come and join the community.

Street performers/musicians litter the streets of Galway. These talented individuals share their culture with the passers-by and are happy for those who sing along and join in the excitement.

Old-fashioned architecture and short doorways make for an interesting little town. In Galway, like many towns in Ireland, the storefronts are much simpler: stone and wood with a sign designating what the store’s purpose is. “Barber”, “bakery”, and “bar” are commonly seen painted on the front and sides of buildings.

The Pie Maker is a locally owned and run shop where homemade meal pies are made to order by the store owner himself. Such quaint little stores are sprinkled all over the streets of Ireland, supporting small business owners and offering a one of a kind experience to each customer who pays them a visit.

RMU students begin their long journey by flying through New York’s JFK airport. Between layovers and flight time, the students are ready to get off the plane and move on with the day.

Ireland is one of the many countries known for using stones from one’s property to create property barriers. These stone walls stretch across miles and miles of green fields, making for a unique cultural perspective for students and other visitors.