The lack of facilities at one the country's most impressive ancient structures has been described as an embarrassment to Donegal.
Councillors this week passed a motion calling for the council to lead up a strategic initiative to maximise the tourism potential of Grianan of Aileach at Burt in Inishowen, which is in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
Use of the site
dates back to the Early Iron Age and from the fifth to twelfth century it was the stronghold of the O'Neills. The ring fort was substanstially rebuilt in the 1870s by Dr. Walter Bernard from Derry. A recent restoration of the stonework by the OPW caused controversy over the methods used and their impact on the monument.
The motion was submitted by Inishowen Sinn Féin councillor Padraig MacLochlainn who said the challenge was to promote Grianan of Aileach to the same extent as similar sites around the country.
Cllr. MacLochlainn said a visit to the Hill of Tara was "the last straw" for him as an OPW map of important historical sites in Ireland did not even contain Grianan of Aileach.
He said the Hill of Tara has audio-visual displays and while of Grianan of Aileach is of equal historical importance there are no such services facilities provided there.
Annoyed
"I got really annoyed about it and I want to see the same facilities at this site that we have at other sites," he said.
In a written answer Director of Services for Community and Enterprise Michael Heaney said the council would continue to pursue a partnership approach to identify opportunities for the site.
Cllr. MacLochlainn said that while he welcomed the answer from the council it was not enough."The time for delaying is over," he said. "We have to speak out about this in Donegal as we have waited for the OPW for too long."
He suggested Derry City Council should be approached to see if there is a possibility there could be a joint funding to enhance the site.
Cllr. Francis Conaghan said Grianan of Aileach is the one monument that can put south Inishowen on the tourist map. He pointed out that access at the front of the structure was not suitable for disabled people and attributed the problems to the break up of the state body Duchas.
Cllr. Bernard McGuniness said the site was one of many in Donegal that could be beneficial to tourism.
The motion was also supported by councillors Rena Donaghy, Marian McDonald, Denis McGonagle and Jimmy Harte.
