Thieves have stolen a huge metal gate from the ancient Grianan of Aileach ringfort on the Donegal-Derry border.
The fort, overlooking Lough Swilly, is believed to date back to the sixth or seventh century. The monument has been closed to the public under the Republic’s Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
Grianan fort is one of the royal sites of Ireland and is believed to have been built by the Northern Uí Néill dynasty. Hugely popular with tourists, the fort provides spectacular views across Counties Donegal, Derry and Tyrone.
By the twelfth century the Kingdom of Aileach – of which Grianan was the royal site – had lost much of its territory. The fort was almost destroyed by King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Brian in 1101 and suffered further damage in the following centuries.
However, the monument was substantially restored in the late 1800s, using the original stones. Further restoration work was carried out by the Republic’s Office of Public Works since 2001 during which time the stolen iron gate was inserted into the only entrance corridor into the fort.
The fort was used as the destination for the first 'Chieftain's Walk' in memory of former deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness in 2018, marking the first anniversary of his death the previous year. It was also visited in 2018 by then Shadow Brexit Secretary and present leader of the Labour Party, Sir Kier Starmer.
Garda sergeant, Eunan Walsh said it was believed the gate was stolen sometime between 10am on Saturday and Sunday morning when the theft was discovered by a local man.
“An Grianan is closed to the public due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Between 10am on Saturday 24th and Sunday morning 25th, the lock on the entrance gate was cut and the large gate was stolen, taken from the area.
“We believe that an angle grinder or some implement was used to remove the gate,” he said.
Sergeant Walsh said the closure of the monument and the subsequent fall in visitor numbers to Grianan would have given the thieves more time to remove the gate. He appealed to anyone with information about the theft to contact Gardai in Buncrana.
