Grianan of Aileach

The Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh, sometimes anglicised as Greenan Ely) is a group of historic structures atop a 801 foot hill in County Donegal, Ireland. The main structure is a stone ringfort, thought to have been built by the Uí Néill in the sixth or seventh century CE; although there is evidence that the site had been in use before the fort was built. It has been identified as the seat of the Kingdom of Aileach and one of the royal sites of Gaelic Ireland. The wall is about 15 feet thick and 16 feet high. It has three terraces, which are linked by steps, and two long passages within it. Originally, there would have been buildings inside the ringfort. Just outside it are the remains of a well and a tumulus. By the 12th century, the Kingdom of Aileach had become embattled and lost a fair amount of territory to the invading Normans. According to Irish literature, the ringfort was mostly destroyed by Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Munster, in 1101. Substantial restoration work was carried out in 1870. Today, the site is a National Monument and a tourist attraction.