Grianan d’Aileach (“Grianan of Ailech” in Gaelic) is a prehistoric circular fort (called a “ringfort”) dating from the Bronze Age. Built on the hill of Grianán, this fort has become a major archaeological site, a source of mystery and questioning, said to have been occupied from the Bronze Age to the 12th century.
The fort’s origins date back to the Bronze Age, when it served as a royal fort for the “Ailech” royal dynasty. Throughout its history, the fort has undergone numerous modifications. The first modifications can be seen as early as the Iron Age, when 3 outer earthen ramparts were built around the fort. Then came the Irish Middle Ages, when the fort was joined by another ashlar fort, measuring 23 meters in diameter.
The fort was occupied until the 12th century, when the area was invaded by the Normans. The fortress was finally destroyed by Murtogh O’Brien, King of Munster, in 1101.
The ruined fort was only discovered in 1830 by archaeologist George Petrie, who launched an extensive restoration campaign between 1874 and 1878. The majority of the site has remained intact, and restoration work has essentially involved consolidating the site’s foundations using fallen stones from around the fort.
Since then, the fort has been open to visitors.
Aileach’s Grianan ringfort is located near the town of Burt, in County Donegal. Easily accessible, the fort is impossible to miss: it is located on a high hill in the region, and its height makes it easily visible.
The fort is open to the public, and you can easily tour it, as well as enter the enclosure via a long corridor covered by a set of stone slabs. The walls are over 2 metres high and 3 to 4.6 metres wide. The interior consists of a succession of small terraces linked by staircases at the entrance to the fort. The fort’s internal diameters are 23.6 meters along the north-south axis, and 23.2 meters along the east-west axis.
Suffice to say, the site is rather imposing!
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