Stone Fort of Grianan

Our friends, Joe & Charlotte, arrived from the states for a 2-week holiday with us. What a great excuse to plan more touring adventures of Ireland.

Marie

After a wonderfully enlightening tour and shopping spree at Belleek Pottery we headed to our first stop - An Grianan Hotel in Inishowen.  Since the night was still young we decided to hike up a small hill to see what sort of view it may offer up.  We met Marie along the way who invited us into her yard for a clear view of the valley and sea below.  Apparently, she and her husband bought the land and built the house.  She tells us she has been blessed with that view for 50 years. She was a delight, one of those rare treasures of Ireland.

Her View

The next morning, we continued up on that same road (via car this time) to the Stone Fort of Grianán of Aileach which sits about 800 feet above sea level.  Here's the history lesson -  “The origins of the Grianán of Aileach fort are dated back to 1700 BC. It is linked to the Tuatha de Danann who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built stone forts on top of strategic hills. They worshipped Dagda (the Good God) and he too is associated with the origins of Aileach. It was he who ordered the building of a stone fort to act as a burial monument to his dead son.”

Joe & Charlotte

It is thought that St Patrick actually visited the site in the 5th century and baptized the local chieftain, Eoghan there.

The fort which was mostly constructed without mortar of any kind was restored to its present state in the 1870’s. There are very narrow, and challenging, stone steps to each of the three levels within the interior.

Once on the top level the panoramas were breathtaking in any direction.  We were very fortunate to have a warm and sunny day.










PHOTO ALBUM