160 replies to this topic

[Bettina]

Hallo Shiny,
I am very sorry for the late reply but thank you for asking.
Grianan is still standing. The last two weeks saw rain during the day and frost during night. The perfect condition for causing damage. How much remains to be seen. Some of the large slabstones covering the sealing inside the gate are always wet, rain or no rain. So there must be some water logging inside the wall above. Unfortunately I do not know how long it would take for severe cracks to appear under such conditions, nor do I know what exactly is in this wall and what mixture the concrete is made of  -  factors which would determine how fast or slow cracks will develop.

I met Seoirse today as he opened his exhibition at the Tower Museum in Derry with Mayor and all that. The Grianan painting is placed very proudly on a commanding position, just like the original, for everyone to see. Beside the painting he placed on each side boards with information about the history of Grianan and the meaning of the items in his painting, ie the well, the tumulus. I could not have thought of anything better. The painting draws visitors towards it and leaves them nearly with no choice but to read something about their forgotten history.
Seoirse sends his apology (he has no internet connection at home) and you should get a reply very soon.

With all the best wishes
Bettina

[shiny]

Hi Bettina.

For newer members who don't know, we're talking about this painting..........


http://farm4.static....c4979e178_o.jpg

Absolutely stunning, I want a print.

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I heard somewhere the other day, that when similar repairs are necessary in England, then the area is turfed over, presumably to absorb moisture.

[Bettina]

Hallo Shiny,
I hope you have received an answer from Seoirse by now and maybe even the print. If you send me your address I could post you the card I made from it as soon as my printer can get more done. They are folded A4's and the image is A5.

The photo above was taken today at a quite busy Grianan with wind forces to blow everyone off the wall who didn't hold on tight.

[Bettina]

[Bettina]

Article in last Fridays Derry Journal

Why is Grianan of Aileach still being neglected? - MacLochlainn asks

Despite being one of Ireland's truly historic sites, Burt's Grianan of Aileach is all but ignored both in terms of the provision of facilities and tourism promotion
In another attempt to rectify this Sinn Fein's Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has submitted a motion to Donegal County Council aimed at maximising the potential of the ancient ring fort.
Since election to Donegal County Council in 2004, Colr 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 Grianan on two occasions.
Cllr Mac Lochlainn said: "Last year, I visited the site at the Hill of Tara in County Meath and witnessed for myself the facilities for visitors at that location. I would argue that An Grianan is an equally important historical location to the island of Ireland as it was also the base of the High Kingship of Ireland (Ard Rí) at a time and is visually more impressive in terms of the panoramic views around it.
"So why does it continue to be neglected? Why is it not even mentioned on the OPW's own Heritage Sites of Ireland map? Why is the signage to the site on approach roads so poor? I am tired of the lack of focus on An Grianan. In recent years, there have been ongoing works to ensure the safety of the structure and despite some controversy, following a meeting with OPW officials at the site; I accept the works were necessary. But it is now time to develop the potential of this wonderful national treasure.
" I have submitted the following motion for the next meeting of the council and I am confident of its successful passing and I am utterly determined to ensure that its objectives are delivered."
The motion reads: "That Donegal County Council immediately lead up a strategic initiative to maximise the tourism potential of Grianan of Aileach in partnership with the OPW and Duchas and to give An Grianan its place in our national heritage".

[Bettina]

Letter to the Editor of the Derry Journal

LACK OF FOCUS

Councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn put last week a motion forward “ to maximise the tourism potential of Grianan of Aileach in partnership with the OPW and Duchas and to give An Grianan its place in our national heritage".
If he is talking about Duchas - The Heritage Service and Irish State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties, then good luck to him, because this Duchas has been abolished in 2003. It was seen as an obstacle in the preparations for the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004, which gave the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the power to injure and to destruct a national monument without any restriction to archaeological considerations (Section 14/2d). And because a motorway was going to be built through the world heritage site at Tara, so much praised by Councillor MacLochlainn, the construction of this road did already include the above and worse.  
The responsibilities of Duchas were split between the Department of aforesaid Minister and the Department for Finance and the OPW.
Staying with the Office of Public Works and in connection with Grianan of Aileach, - maximising “the tourism potential” is not something which would naturally spring to mind, considering what must be the record closure for any national monument in such short amount of time. Re-arranging the layout, shape-shifting and concreting a dry stone monument aside, but if I would have had a garden wall built by fault or design by a company with such a record of collapses, like the OPW has with Grianan of Aileach, I would only let my enemies walk on top of it.

Maybe if Councillor MacLochlainn would have had experienced this extent of construction failure on his own house, he would have been less trusting towards the lullaby of those responsible for it. He might even have been able to focus a little bit harder on the underlying issues.

[Bettina]

Link for National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004

[Bettina]

If anyone should be interested, I found a letter to the editor from 1838, arguing while the recently discovered ruin of Grianán Aileach can not be Grianán Aileach and my findings and thoughts surrounding its discovery.
http://unknownswilly.wordpress.com/

[shiny]

Hi Bettina,

I'm sorry for seeming to ignore you lately, I'm just useless at multi-tasking, (lame excuse).

I haven't heard from Seoirse at all, not to worry.

I've tried a few times to find Grianan through online maps, but no joy. Is there an Irish equivalent of the OS ? I don't seem able to find any large scale maps.

How has Grianan coped with the severe winter? OK I hope.

Archaeology in the 19th century seemed to be a pursuit of the leisured classes, when you're fighting to feed your family other things take a back seat obviously.

[shiny]

Sorry......


Stupid of me....I've bought an Irish OS map before now, Macgillicuddy's Reeks area.

[Bettina]

This is a section of the map used in mabel Colhoun's book. It is from the Odnance Survey of Ireland, third edition. I am not sure which year that was.

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•  mapcolhoun.jpg   478.08K   5 downloads

[Bettina]

Hallo Shiny,
I hope you are well, multitasking and all. Grianan is still standing but the concrete on top of the wall starts to break. Some of the stones will come loose soon. Last Sunday I found a rock near the ancient road with writing and some far older markings on it.
I don't know why Seoirse did not come back to you. I haven't seen him for weeks either. But lets give it another try. Can you send me your details (address, email)? I will get on his back and hopefully ensure that you get your print. I don't want to rub it in but the original painting is right behind me.

The Ordnance Survey of Templemore (or County Londonderry)by Colby from 1837 is available as google book. Grianan is in and around page 222 in the document and there is a map of the monument and a few woodcuts.
See if you can open the link below. If not google Grianan of Aileach in books.
Ordnance Survey

All the best
Bettina

[Bettina]

Over the last week holes appeared on the inside wall above the gate. I counted 1 large and 4 smaller ones. It seems that the loose stones have been moved to the entrance of the northern passage. The gate section was rebuilt in 2006 http://unknownswilly...rianan2006.html.
I assume that the OPW will fill them with concrete in the next days.
Photos taken May 09, 2009

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[Bettina]

The smaller holes

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