The Grianan of Aileach - Stone Ring Fort
The Grianán of Aileach (Ring Fort) County Donegal, Republic of Ireland
The Grianán of Aileach aka “Greenan Ely” or “Greenan Fort” is a stone ringfort atop a 244 metres (801 ft) hill.
Ringforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Early Middle Ages up to about the year 1000. They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland.
Theories on the function of hillforts range from their use as defensive sites to ceremonial enclosures. The Grianán of Aileach could possibly have served both of these purposes, plus more.
This stop was absolutely wonderful. To go inside this enclosure, to climb to its top ring, to view the incredibly beautiful landscape that spread out to the horizon even to the sea was amazing.
I imagined those people who had gone before who would have looked out over the edge of their fort to much the same awe inspiring scene as did I.
Very cool.
Warning: Prepare to scroll down through a lot of pictures!
The Grianán of Aileach aka “Greenan Ely” or “Greenan Fort” is a stone ringfort atop a 244 metres (801 ft) hill.
Ringforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Early Middle Ages up to about the year 1000. They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland.
Theories on the function of hillforts range from their use as defensive sites to ceremonial enclosures. The Grianán of Aileach could possibly have served both of these purposes, plus more.
This stop was absolutely wonderful. To go inside this enclosure, to climb to its top ring, to view the incredibly beautiful landscape that spread out to the horizon even to the sea was amazing.
I imagined those people who had gone before who would have looked out over the edge of their fort to much the same awe inspiring scene as did I.
Very cool.
Warning: Prepare to scroll down through a lot of pictures!