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My mother, Bridget Elizabeth Vaca (nee Thompson) passed away on February 12, 2003.

Prior to her debilitation in October 2002, she, my dad Clement and I had a discussion
regarding the disposition of their remains.  Bridget informed me that she and Clem
had decided to have their remains cremated.  I asked where they would like their
ashes distributed and my mom emphatically stated, "At the Cliffs of Dover."

Bridget was born in London during the WWII when these Cliffs were immortalized
in song and lore as being the icon representing return home from the war.
Bridget also attended nursing school in London in the 50's prior to emigrating to the U.S.
To this day, none of us truly appreciate what the Cliffs represent to her.

Shortly after her passing, there was concern that her last wishes were to be
carried back to the Cliffs of Moher close to her childhood home.  It was
decided by her family that her remains would be taken to both locations.

In late August 2003, my dad and I made the trip to Europe to fulfill her wishes.
On the 28th of August, we arrive at Shannon Airport in County Clare and were
met by my uncles, Francis and Donal.  We then traveled directly to the scenic
tourist center known as the Cliffs of Moher.

To enlarge any of these pictures, merely click on the image.
mvc-161s.jpg (146413 bytes)

The Cliffs of Moher (Ailltreacha
Mothair - also known as the
Great Wall of Thormond) as seen
from the entrance to the park.
The Cliffs rise 214 m. (700 ft.) out of the Atlantic Ocean and are 8 km. (5 mi.) long.
The name comes from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was replaced by a signal tower during the Napoleonic wars.

 MVC-162Sa.jpg (81662 bytes)

This "castle" is known as O' Brien's Tower. Bridget's remains were scattered at a point near the right edge of this picture.

Regarding O'Brien's Tower, internet sources give this description:

"O'Brien's tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O'Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, and the O'Brien's of Bunratty Castle, Kings of Thomond, as an observation point for the hundreds of tourists who even then visited the Cliffs.  O'Brien's Tower is the best location from which to view the Cliffs, from this vantage point one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains to the north in Connemara and Loop Head to the South."

"...the development of the first visitor centre at the location when Clare MP, Cornelius O'Brien, unwittingly started the country's fascination with visitor centres when he constructed O'Brien's Tower at the highest point of the world renowned Cliffs of Moher in 1835.  Built as an observation point for "strangers visiting the magnificent scenery of this neighbourhood", the tower served tea and refreshments to visitors where they could take in the breathtaking views of the cliffs, the Aran Islands, the Kerry Mountains and the Twelve Bens in Connemara across Galway Bay."

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With the tower to our backs, half of the ashes were released
over the cliffs at the fenceline in the lower right corner
of the first picture.  These are views of a peaceful shoreline
at the base of the cliffs and a close-up of the beach.

mvc-165s.jpg (132456 bytes)

Another shot of the tower  that
will watch over Bridget's remains
 in Ireland.

mvc-167s.jpg (225992 bytes)

A better view of the cliffs
just south of the "castle."

mvc-166s.jpg (203103 bytes)

A close-up of the "cave" in the cliffs.
 

 

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Last modified: December 08, 2014
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