 Grianán of Aileach Interior © |
Grianán of Aileach is a Ring Fort (circa.1000AD), built on the site of an ancient hill fort (circa.3000BC), said to have been built by Dagda, a King of the Tuatha De Danann, in 1700BC. Grianán was the residence of the Uí Neill, High-Kings of Ireland in the 5th century and was later the seat of the O'Donnells, chieftains of Donegal. In pre-history it was thought to be a place of sun worship or the place of hibernation of Gráine, a Celtic sun-goddess. The Fort overlooks Inishowen to the north, giving good views of Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle. On a clear day one can see five of the nine counties of Ulster from Grianán's parapets. There are many tales associated with Grianán of Aileach in Irish folklore. One such tale relates that Niall Frasach (High King of Ireland 743-770AD) who was born at nearby Fahan decided to become a monk at Grianán and that it was from there that he journeyed to Colmcille's monastery at Iona. It is also believed that Eogháin, after whom Inishowen is named, was baptised at Grianán by St. Patrick in 450AD. |
| Tógadh an ráth seo (circa.1000 A.D), san áit a raibh an ráth ársa (circa.3000 B.C). Deirtear gur thóg an Dagda é. Bhí an Dagda ina rí ar na Tuatha De Danann in 1700 B.C. Bhí conaí ar na Uí Neill, Ard Ríthe na Éireann ann sa 5ú h-aois. Ina dhiadh sin bhí conaí ar chlann Uí Dhomhnaill sa Ghrianán. Bhi Clann Uí Dhomhnaill ina gceann urraí ar Dhún na nGall. De réir na réamhstaire deirtear gur áit adhreachta gréine a bhí sa Ghrianán agus deirtear fósta gur áit geimhriú Ghráinne, bandia gréine na gCeilteach a bhí ann. Tá Inis Eoghain le feiceáil o thuaisceart na ráithe agus tá radharcanna álainne de Loch Suilí agus Loch Feabhail uaidh freisin. Má tá an aimsir go maith ann, tá cúigear de chondaithe Chúige Uladh le feiceáil ó uchtbhalla na Grianána. Tá go leor scéalta béaloideasa ag baint le Grianán Aileach. De réir scéal amháin bheartaigh Niall Frasach (Ard Rí na hÉireann 743-770 A.D), a rugadh in aice láimhe i bhFathain, bheith ina mhanach nuair a bhí sé sa nGrianán agus is ón láthair seo a d'imigh sé go Mainistir Cholmcille ar oileán Í. Creidtear fosta gurbh ag Grianán Aileach a bhaist Naomh Pádraig an taoiseach Eoghan sa bhliain 450 AD. Ainmiú Inis Eoghain ar an leathinis i ndiaidh an taoiseach sinsireach, Eoghan. © |
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