Grianan of Aileach - County Donegal, Ireland
The Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh, sometimes anglicised as Greenan Ely or Greenan Fort) is a hillfort atop the 244 metres (801 ft) high Greenan Mountain at Inishowen in County Donegal, Ireland.
The main structure is a stone ringfort, thought to have been built by the Northern Uí Néill, in the sixth or seventh century although there is evidence that the site had been in use before the fort was built. It has been identified as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and one of the royal sites of Gaelic Ireland. The wall is about 4.5 metres (15 ft) thick and 5 metres (16 ft) high. Inside it has three terraces, which are linked by steps, and two long passages within it.
Originally, there would have been buildings inside the ringfort. Just outside it are the remains of a well and a tumulus.
By the 12th century, the Kingdom of Ailech had become embattled and lost a fair amount of territory to the invading Normans. According to Irish literature, the ringfort was mostly destroyed by Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Munster, in 1101. Substantial restoration work was carried out in 1870. Today, the site is a National Monument and a tourist attraction.
The Stone Fort of Grianan of Aileach sits on a hilltop in Inishowen, County Donegal, and the stone was probably first built on an earthen rath - standing on the hilltop to check one of the touristic places in county Donegal is one of the different reasons for visiting this place but it is also different to visit something that was built back then and is still standing to tell its history to the visitors nowadays.
Standing there at the Gianan of Aileach, you will receive a magnificent view that would take your breath away. Being at the Grianan of Aileach, you will get good views of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly with their glistening waters which are clear from there - it is believed that this is one of the places that witnessed the history of Ireland being written down.
Every touristic destination you tend to visit will always tell you part of the history about the country you are in and that is the same things with Grianan of Aileach. In addition to the historical stories which are being shared about the different touristic destinations which you visit, you also get the chance to receive some different views from every single one of them.
The round fort of the Grianan of Aileach is built largely without mortar. The interior of the place has three terraces and wooden structures were built against those terraces in order to provide accommodation. From the things that could be seen from below the fort is the outline of the Bronze Age or the Iron Age ramparts.
Some legends state that the giants of Inishowen are lying sleeping in the location but when the sacred sword is removed, they will spring to life reclaiming their ancient lands. It is thought that St. Patrick visited the site in the 5th century and baptised the local cheiftain, Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan got its name).
We have made different trips to county Donegal before and got the chance to know about some of the things that one could do there, you could check our trip to Donegal Town through this video and tell us what do you think and whether you have been there before or not (
From the other places that we have been to in county Donegal, Northern Ireland, we have been to Letterkenny which is also known as the Cathedral Town and we got introduced to its different attractions and touristic locations ( such as St. Eunan's Cathedral that stands on the top of the list (
The Grianan of Aileach - Stone Fort - sits on top of Greenan Hill with a 360 degree view of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly as well as the countryside of the Inishowen Peninsula as we have already mentioned above. But that of course might differ according to the Irish weather because if the sky is not clear, the view might not be clear and you might end up seeing nothing but if the sky is clear and the weather is good, it is believed that sometimes even five counties could appear.
Gianan of Aileach could be reached from Letterkenny by heading east towards Derry on the N13 and after 5 kilometers you will need to turn left at the roundabout, staying on the N13 road that is heading for Inishowen. On the road and while trying to reach Gianan of Aileach, shortly after Newtown cunningham, you will see Burt Castle on the left and will then lookout for a right turn to reach your final destination.
This is one of the different places which we have enjoyed in county Donegal, Northern Ireland, and this is one of the different historical destinations which will bring good sights to you as well. Have you ever been there before? Tell us about your experience.
Some of the best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Grianan of Aileach fort, castle, Burt, Donegal, Ireland, (Tourist Attraction)
The Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh, sometimes anglicised Greenan Ely) is a group of historic structures atop a 244 metres (801 ft) hill in County Donegal, Ireland. The main structure is a stone ringfort, thought to have been built by the Uí Néill in the sixth or seventh century although there is evidence that the site had been in use before the fort was built.
It has been identified as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and one of the royal sites of Gaelic Ireland. The wall is about 4.5 metres (15 ft) thick and 5 metres (16 ft) high. It has three terraces, which are linked by steps, and two long passages within it. Originally, there would have been buildings inside the ringfort. Just outside it are the remains of a well and a tumulus.
By the 12th century, the Kingdom of Aileach had become embattled and lost a fair amount of territory to the invading Normans. According to Irish literature, the ringfort was mostly destroyed by Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Munster, in 1101. Substantial restoration work was carried out in 1870. Today, the site is a National Monument and a tourist attraction.
Grianan of Aileach Stone Ringfort Donegal
We are on the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal. This is the ancient intriguing Grianan of Aileach tiered levels, stone fort. I have never seen anything like this. This is a massive sophisticated construction far beyond anything that I believed ancient Irish peoples could have built. Yet here it stands and has stood for multiple centuries. What is the true origin/history/purposes of Grianan of Aileach? Who built it and over what time scale? We can largely only speculate.
The Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh, sometimes anglicised as Greenan Ely or Greenan Fort) is a hillfort atop the 244 metres (801 ft) high Greenan Mountain at Inishowen in County Donegal, Ireland. The main structure is a stone ringfort, thought to have been built by the Northern Uí Néill, in the sixth or seventh century although there is evidence that the site had been in use before the fort was built. It has been identified as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and one of the royal sites of Gaelic Ireland. The wall is about 4.5 metres (15 ft) thick and 5 metres (16 ft) high. Inside it has three terraces, which are linked by steps, and two long passages within it. Originally, there would have been buildings inside the ringfort. Just outside it are the remains of a well and a tumulus.
The ringfort was mostly destroyed by Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Munster, in 1101. Substantial restoration work was carried out in 1870. Today, the site is an Irish National Monument and a tourist attraction.
The Grianán is located on the western edge of a small group of hills that lie between the upper reaches of Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle. Although the hill is comparatively not that high, the summit dominates the neighbouring counties of Londonderry, Donegal and Tyrone. This place would have been of major strategic importance. an attacking force coming by foot or by sea could be spotted from this high vantage point. Circular sites allowed for a broad perspective of the surrounding area and allowed the maximum area to be enclosed relative to the bank constructed.
It has to be said that the current hillfort, after the restoration of 1874–1878 by Bernard, is substantially different from the original but much of the old structure remains intact. During the restoration, it was found that parts of the original drystone masonry had been preserved under the collapse. There are many clues that the Grianán of Aileach is a multi-period site. Stout comes to the conclusion that the majority of Ireland's ringforts were occupied and constructed during a three hundred-year period from the beginning of the seventh century to the end of the ninth century AD.
In the historic period, from the middle of the sixth century, the Grianán of Aileach is always thought of as the capital of the northern Ui Neill, the dynasty descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages. It acted as such up until the twelfth century. However, as it was destroyed in 1050, it was the capital in name only. It was the site where the Kings of Aileach held their inauguration ceremonies. It is written in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick that Patrick blessed the fortress and left a symbolic flagstone there prophesying that many kings and clerics would come from the place. This flagstone can no longer be found at the fortress. It is believed that a preserved flagstone at Belmont House School in Derry, called St. Columb's Stone, is the inauguration stone. On one side of the stone, which is 2 metres square, are carved two feet marks. However, there is no substantiating evidence to back this up.
Grianán of Aileach was an extremely important site. It was the secular centre of Northwest Donegal while the ecclesiastical settlement at Derry was the religious centre. Together, they acted as the political hub of the region. Aileach's political and strategic importance was such that the annals report that it was attacked at least three times during its existence. In 674, Fínsnechta Fledach, King of Ireland, destroyed the fort. Perhaps, this was the earlier hillfort that stood on the site before the cashel was built. In 937, during the reign of Muirchertach mac Néill, Viking raiders demolished the site. Vikings had settled at Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle during this period. In 1006, Brian Boru, marched though the territory of the Cenel Conail and the Cenel Eogain and probably came to Aileach. In 1101, another king of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, came to Inishowen where he proceeded to plunder and ravage the region.
In Irish mythology and folklore, the ringfort is said to have been originally built by the Dagda, a god and the celebrated king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, who planned and fought the battle of the second or northern Magh Tuireadh, against the Fomorians. The fort was erected around the grave of his son Aedh who had been killed through jealousy by Corrgenn, a Connacht chieftain.
Grianán of Aileach Inishowen County Donegal
The Stone Fort of Grianán of Aileach sits on a hilltop in Inishowen County Donegal. 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level, the stone fort was probably first built on an earthen rath.
Das Ringfort Grianan of Aileach - County Donegal , Irland
Grianán von Aileach (irisch Grianán Ailigh, englisch Grianán of Aileach) ist der Name eines restaurierten Steinforts im County Donegal im Nordwesten der Republik Irland, ca. 10 km westlich der nordirischen Stadt Derry. Der Grianán von Aileach war ein historisches Zentrum von Kultur und Politik in der Zeit der frühirischen Herrscher (800 v. Chr. bis 1.200 n. Chr.). Das Ringfort auf dem Berg Greenan (Grianán) war Sitz der Könige von Aileach. Die Königreiche von Ulaidh und Airgíalla waren Unterkönigreiche unter der Herrschaft Aileach.
Grianán von Aileach ist ein Ringfort, das anstelle eines alten Hillforts errichtet wurde. Der Grianán war im 5. Jahrhundert Wohnsitz der Uí Néill und später im Besitz des Clans der O’Donnells. Bis zum 12. Jahrhundert (um 1177) hatte das Königreich Aileach einen großen Teil seiner Ländereien an die Normannen verloren, womit auch das Steinfort an Bedeutung verlor und schließlich von einer Armee unter Muirchertach Ua Briain (König von Munster) zerstört wurde. Das Fort überblickt die Halbinsel Inishowen nach Norden. Heute kann man die Hauptwälle, die einen Durchmesser von 23 Meter haben, besichtigen. Andere Teile des Forts waren zerstört, wurden aber im 19. Jahrhundert (um 1870) authentisch restauriert. Die Stätte gehört der irischen Regierung.
Ein irischer Schöpfungsmythos behauptet, dass dieses Fort vom großen König Dagda von den Tuatha Dé Danann rund um die Grabstätte seines Sohnes erbaut wurde. Es heißt, dass im Jahre 450 St. Patrick hier den Begründer der O’Neill-Dynastie, Owen, getauft haben soll.
Grianan Aileach Iron Age stone fort Co Donegal
Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh) is a historic monument in County Donegal, Ireland built on the hill of Grianán and is an Iron Age stone fortress.
Grianan of Aileach Ring Fort Ancient Monument Donegal
A quick visit to the hilltop ring fort which was a royal site within the Kingdom of Ailech in gealic Ireland founded in the 6th Century or earlier .
Grianan of Aileach Fort, Co, Donegal. Ireland.
This Fort is located on the top of 801 feet high Greenan mountain, over looking Inch Island which i visited in another video. This was the first time here since i was a child and was a great place to visit with stunning views of Inch Island. The
Grianan Aileach - Inishowen Peninsula - County Donegal - Ireland
Grianan Aileach - Péninsule d'Inishowen - Comté de Donegal - Irlande
Coordonnées GPS: 55°01'25.1N 7°25'38.9W
Il s'agit en fait d'un fort préhistorique circulaire, communément appelé ringfort. Il aurait subi de nombreuses transformations au fil du temps. Il aurait appartenu à une dynastie royale.
Ce fort a été occupé jusqu'au XIIe siècle, jusqu'à ce qu'il soit envahi par les Normands. La forteresse a par la suite été détruite par le roi de Munster.
Au XIXe siècle, un archéologue a découvert les ruines de ce fort et une restauration du site s'en est suivie. Comme le site était resté intact, il n'a suffi qu'à solidifier les fondations en utilisant les pierres qui étaient tombées autour du fort.
L'enceinte du fort est accessible par une petite ouverture formée dans les murs. Par la suite, des escaliers permettent d'accéder aux étages supérieurs du fort.
Le fort étant situé sur une haute colline, il permet d'avoir une vue panoramique de toute la région.
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Equinox sunrise through doorway Grianan Aileach Donegal Drone
Equinox sunrise shining through the door at Grianán Ailigh Donegal or 'Stone temple of the Sun' , it is said to have been built by the Tuatha De Danann God and king of Ireland The Dagda.
Music by Marie Kelly -
Grianan of Aileach - Donegal, Ireland
Grianan of Aileach in Donegal, Ireland. Quick view on a typically windy day up there. Taken at around 5pm with views of Inishowen and Derry
Grianan of Aileach, Donegal, Ireland
Grianan of Aileach, Donegal, Ireland - An excellent monument. Wikipedia tells a great story check it out. This is a video from inside the fort. Like&subscribe
Asteroid: Grianan Fort, County Donegal, Ireland
Grianan of Aileach Donegal Ireland
The Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh, sometimes anglicised Greenan Ely) is a group of historic structures atop a 244 metres (801 ft) hill in County Donegal, Ireland. The main structure is a stone ringfort, thought to have been built by the Uí Néill in the sixth or seventh century
Dawn Chorus at Grianan of Aileach Fort - Burt, Donegal Ireland
An Grianan Aileach - Burt, Donegal, Ireland
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Donegal. Grianan Fort by drone
Grianan Fort Donegal drone. Filmed by qualified and insured drone pilot Gavin Patton.
AN GRIANAN FORT, CO, DONEGAL / LIFE AFTERLIFE TV PRODUCTIONS. Beautiful views.
This is located between Letterkenny and Derry City on top of a mountan. I will film locations like this as i always have but are thinking of ways to bringing a variety of content.
1970 - Burt Castle, Grianan of Aileach, Newtowncunningham - The Laggan, Donegal Ireland
Grianan of Aileach(Grianán Ailigh), Burt, Co Donegal
Grianán Ailigh, Burt, Co Donegal
Filmed by Martin Carberry
Music by Mark Harmen