An Ancient Irish Monument.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3005, 2 October 1878, Page 1

An Ancient Irish Monument.

I One of the most interesting of the ancient monuments of Ireland,; the Grinian of Alleach, in the county .Donegal, which stands on the top of a hill 800 feet high, on the property of Lord Templetown, has just been rescued from destruction by the efforts of Dr. W. Bernard, of Derry. It is a circular fort, which was originally built in pagan times, and formed part at a- later period of a regal residence rivalling the famous palace., of " Tara of. the Kings." It commands an extensive prospect, extending on one side over Lough Foyle and brer Lough Swilley on the other. In the year 1101 Murtough O'Brien demolished it and ordered his men to take away one atone of the building in every empty sack which they had with them to head a 1 parapet built at the top of the palace, irhlCD occupied the site of the present Cathedral..of , Limerick. Some other stones were taken ! away in recent times to build the parapet of a bridge in the vicinity of the ruin; but Dr Bernard believes that no other stones were taken for building purposes. In the reconstruction of the fort only the fallen I stones were used, except 700 or 800 which were picked up about the hill and a coping of masonry. It is perfectly circular and stands about 20ft. high, of conical shape, with' massive walls built without . mortar by wedging the larger stones 'together with small ones. Insjde it is about '70 feet wide, having three platforms rising above each other, approached by steps, and. is crowned by a parapet. Tbeije is but one entrance, which looks eastward, and there . are doorways inside, which seem to lead to subterranean passages, but they have'not been explored. The idea of preserving the ruin, which 'was in a very neglected state, and Jikely soon to lose all trace of its original character, occurred to Dr Bernard about four years ago, and it is a remarkablei fact that the people, when appealed to for help to restore it and informed of the antiquarian interest attached to it, cheerfully responded and gave their time and labour to promote the work without receiving any payment. Dr Bernard pays a high tribute to their zeal and patience, observing that if they had been hired workman':they would hardly have shown as much obedience' to their employers. He could not, in fact, have obtained such service! for hire, for labor was not to be had. In the course of the excavations which were carried on a number of relics were turned vp 1 which place the antiquity of the place beyond question. It is recorded that Grinian existed 1700 yean before the Christian era, and it is marked on Ptolemy's map in. the 2nd century, which 1 was a copy of a much older, map found, in -Alexandria. Among the relics were bones and teeth,, defaced coins,'the button and the socket of a plough, round stones with holes in the centre, war clubs, sling stones, - a stone found in ashes marked into squares, another of dark color shaped like a heart, another with' fluted columns, and a polished cone with flat base. Working under a heap of rubbish the labourers came upon one of the platforms 30ft. long, 3ft. wide, and'sft. from'the ground, and in the wall, which bad almost crumbled away, four steps were found, which it was inferred led to another platform. There is a fort in the County Kerry, called Staigue Fort, which only differs in, the platforms being a little longer. The completion of the work of, restoration was celebrated by on entertainment giving at the spot by Dr Bernard. Without the permission of Lord Templetown and* his agent, Mr Bower, the undertaking could not have been carried out, and they justly share the gratitude which is felt towards Dr Bernard.