Grianan of Aileach
Northwest Ireland | County Donegal
Grianan of Aileach (irish: Grianán Ailigh) is dry-stone walled ring fort, located on a hilltop over Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, in county Donegal. It was probably built in the 8th century as the royal citadel of the northern Uí Néill, on the site of prehistoric burial mound, possibly from the Neolithic period (about 3000 BC). Ring fort rises to high of 5m, its wall is 4.5m thick at the base and it has a linteled passage leading to the inside. Inner wall formes into three-level terrace connected by stairs. There are also two long passages contained inside the wall. The three earthen banks surrounding the fort could be part of an earlier Bronze Age or Iron Age hillfort. The trackway running through these banks and leading to the fort is believed to be an ancient roadway.
- OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS :
- Freely accessible
- CAR PARK :
- Yes
Photos from Grianan of Aileach
