The Grianán of Aileach is a group of historical monuments situated around 15 minutes drive from our house. Not much is know about the fort but most commentators describe the site as being the “Royal fort of Aileach”. The site is thought to have been build during the rule of early Irish chieftains (c. 800 BCE-1200 CE) .
Another view is
“The ‘Grianan of Aileach’ or ‘Stone House of the Sun’ was founded by Druids 1700 years before the coming of Christ. Aileach was the ancient over-kingdom of the Celtic UiNeill Clan. That kingdom consisted of two parts, Cineal Chonaill and Cineal Eoghain. Cineal Chonaill roughly represented the area now covered by Co. Donegal, thus the Irish name for Co. Donegal, which is Tir (the land of) Chonaill. In pagan days it was used as a temple of the sun, and later as a refuge for the womenfolk when the men went off to war. Thus it was sometimes called the ‘Weeping Place for Women’. The geographer, Ptolemy of Alexandria in Egypt, noted its position as far back as the 2nd century. In later years it became the fortress and palace of the Northern High Chieftains. It is said that St Patrick preached here in 450 AD and baptised Eoghain, founder of the O’Neill clan.
Royal Grianan came to an end at the beginning of the 12th cenury when O’Brien, King of Thomond, and one of Brian Boru’s earliest successors, sacked this place in revenge for a northern raid on Clare. For centuries this ancient monument lay desolate and almost in ruins….yet once more the old place was fated to be used as a temple. But this time by people of a different faith. During the dark and evil days of the penal code the Catholic people assembled here for Mass ‘in spite of dungeon fire and sword.’”
sourced from ‘Donegal, An Exploration’, by J.J. Tohill and ‘Touring Donegal, A Guide to Co. Donegal, Ireland’.
What ever you view is, Grianan of Aileach is a very special place to visit. One word of warning, it does get very windy.
For any more information on the fort chat to us in the house and we will gladly give you more information.
