Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Mac Lochlainn welcomes progress on promoting Grianán of Aileach

Published: 4 April, 2009

Mac Lochlainn welcomes progress on promoting Grianán of Aileach

Inishowen Sinn Féin Cllr Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has welcomed news of progress on promoting Grianán of Aileach and improving access to the ancient site. Since election to Donegal County Council in 2004, Cllr Mac Lochlainn has campaigned for the development of the structure, repeatedly raising the matter at council meetings and meeting with Office of Public Works (OPW) officials on site at An Grianán on two occasions.


In recent months, he successfully had a motion passed at Donegal County Council calling on the council to immediately lead up a strategic initiative to maximise the tourism potential of Grianán of Aileach in partnership with the OPW and to give An Grianán its place in our national heritage.


Cllr Mac Lochlainn said:


"Following a question put to the recent meeting of Donegal County Council, our Heritage Officer, Joe Gallagher has confirmed that the OPW will finalise works on improving disability access to the site later this year and crucially, that Grianán of Aileach will now be included in the OPW's "Heritage Sites of Ireland" map, available free at all the sites across the island. It was an absolute disgrace and typical of the neglect of An Grianán that this ancient site and location of the Ard Rí (High Kingship) has not been included in the map already".


"While I welcome this early progress, I am determined to see further improvements to the site with visual aids and guides at the location, improved signage on the approach roads to An Grianán and eventually, to see an interpretive centre for visitors".


ENDS