Grianan In Books
Blacker's Discovery Of Grianan In The 1800's
Dr. Bernard's Restoration Of Grianan 1878
Summer Solstice
Danger Signs - A More Permantent Picture
Come Together Dates & Deadlines Revisit
Open Letter To The Taoiseach, May 2007
The Billeting Of Stones 21st Century Style
How To Demolish A Monument
Stories, Legends, Myths
Guarding Grianan Aileach -Blog
Sites In Danger
Arts & Crafts
March 2007
by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com
INISHOWEN'S top tourist attraction will not be fully open for business this summer - despite promise made last year.
Grianán of Aileach fort will be partially re-opened to the public around the end of April, but the northeast section will stay closed as restoration work drags on.
The historic landmark, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, was closed in 2003 in order to carry out restoration work when part of the wall collapsed.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) vowed that the work would be finished by the end of 2006 and the fort re-open this year.
However the team involved has made a particular effort to ensure that 75 per cent of the site will be accessible to the public by the end of April this year."
Tony McLaughlin, of the Inishowen Tourism Society, called the delay an "absolute disgrace" and said the fact that the fort will not be fully accessible in peak season will have a serious impact o Inishowen tourism.
"I'm mystified as to what is causing the hold-up," said Mr. McLaughlin.
"This is one of Inishowen's most precious assets and vital to tourism in the area, yet it is doomed to spending another summer looking like a building site.
Compare this treatment with the 31.5 million euro that has been spent on the creation of an Interpretive Centre at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare or the massive amount on advertising for Dún Aonghasa on Inishmore Island and it would make one wonder just why an important part of our heritage is being ignored."
