I’m starting a new painting and this time it’s the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Much to my delight, my client’s photos came in the mail yesterday so it’s time to start sketching!
Looking at these photos, I immediately think of Fezzik from the “Princess Bride” climbing up the “Cliffs of Insanity” so this is right up my alley! (UPDATE! If Wikipedia is to be believed, they actually ARE filmed as the “Cliffs of Insanity” from the Princess Bride! They are also filmed in Harry Potter and Half Blood Prince movie as well. I may have to rewatch those movies purely for reference. Aww, too bad.)
Initial Sketching
Princess Bride Awesomeness
Seriously, this movie is great. I’m going to go rewatch it right now.
O’Brien’s Tower
What’s really great about this is there is a little castle overlooking the cliffs that makes me think of a siege tower from a great war. It’s actually called O’Briens Tower and it was built in 1835 for… TOURISM if you can believe that. The architect was ahead of his time, thinking that tourism would bring the population out of poverty. And it’s true because it is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. I now have this urge to go visit and see them for myself! Also, NOTE TO SELF: Pick up alot of blue, green and yellow paints.
About the Cliffs
(Apparently there is a racey Cocktail-Making Fireman ad for Tequila before viewing the video below. Let’s hope you hit the jackpot like my mother and sister-in-law. You’ve been warned.)
“The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s top Visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.”