A community campaign is underway to reinstate open access to the Grianan of Aileach monument in Inishowen.
The historic fort, which welcomes over 16,500 visitors a year, has been closed on numerous occasions this winter following the installation of a gate to the interior section.
Visitors have found the gate locked in the evenings, as well as during the day without notice during times of poor weather.
The Office of Public Works has been criticised for the newly imposed opening hours and unpredictable closures.
Buncrana woman Bettina Linke, who runs a Facebook page about Grianán of Aileach, says people are being denied experiencing the spectacular sunrises and sunsets from the hilltop.
She has set up a petition to the government to reverse the restrictions implemented last autumn. To date, almost 400 people have supported the petition addressed to Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’ Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan.
“Many enjoy a visit to the site during out of office hours, the sunsets being the favourite but also stargazers at night, hoping to glimpse the Aurora Borealis or to see the Milky Way above the monument. And there are people, some of them dealing with mental health issues, who come before work and school at sunrise, to ready themselves for the daily tasks and tribulations ahead,” Bettina said on change.org.
“As for the sunrise, a forgotten solar alignment was rediscovered in March 2012 at the spring equinox during which a glorious golden beam entered through the gate and divided the inside perfectly into a southern and northern half. Over the years a small ‘equinox family’ grew to witness our very own alignment. The Lithuanian families come for several years now, having chosen to celebrate their autumn equinox tradition at the Grianan.
“And the last few years saw finally visitors from around the world arriving, as well as other parts of Ireland, specifically to see the alignment and the golden beam of light streaming through the entire length of the monument.”
The new opening hours, Bettina argues are in “utter disregard of how our community is using the Grianan and, as the past few months have proven, much to the disappointment and frustration to visitors from abroad.”
Minster Patrick O’Donovan has previously commented that the OPW are in the process of forming a Sustainable Management and Visitor Experience Stakeholder Group for Grianán of Aileach.
