Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
425. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ask officials from the Office of Public Works when they will meet a delegation of Donegal County Councillors to discuss how to develop the full potential of Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal, as they have requested. [28279/23]
View answerThe Grianan of Aileach is a Hillfort, designated as a National Monument, protected under legislation and maintained by the Office of Public Works. Hillforts are generally considered to be a Late Bronze Age phenomenon (built ca. 1100 -800BC). and to have filled a wide range of functions, economic, ceremonial, ritual and domestic. The location of the site, at the summit of the Greenan Mountain, overlooking Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle, is intrinsic to all aspects of its significance.
For visitors, the cashel or built structure is the focus and while, in the past, restoration projects have concentrated on this element of the site, there are field boundaries and public access paths over the lines of the ramparts. Understanding and recognising the site in its entirety is paramount to the safeguarding of the sites significance.
To this end, a Conservation Management Plan, commissioned by the OPW, was published in December 2019. Its diverse objectives range from the establishment of an appropriate balance between the conservation of the monument, the site, its natural environment and biodiversity to interpretation and access for the public. The input of Donegal County Council will be central to achieving the objectives set out in the plan.
Officials from this office have communicated recently with Donegal County Council seeking formal engagement to discuss how mutual commitments set out in the management plan can be progressed. A meeting will be arranged as soon as practicable.
