A fort with a big sunny view

Grainan of Aileach is a stone ring fort that sits 800 feet above sea level and commands some of the best views in Ireland over Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone. The site dates back to 1700 BC and is believed in Irish mythology to be the seat of Daghdha, the father of the Tuatha de Danann.  The first stone fort here dates back to around 700 AD and is believed to have been built by the ancestors of Niall of the 9 Hostages. Niall was a powerful king during the time of St Patrick who was converted to Christianity in the nearby well. In the following 1000 years, his O’Neill and McLaughlin descendants became the most powerful and longest-lasting kings in Irish history. Over the years this site has been been used for many purposes including tribal gatherings, defense, and as its name implies ‘sun worship. It has also been attacked and destroyed on many occasions by the Gaels, Vikings, and English forces. In 1878 it was completely restored to its former glory by an amateur archaeologist from Derry named Dr. Walter Bernard.