Seat of Kings

A stone round standing fortress crowns forever beauty The name translated to english Grianan means sunny spot or sun temple The land bows down inspirational the view seat of the high kings dating back to 1700 B.C Overlooking Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle Eogháin, after whom Inishowen is named was baptised at Grianán by St. Patrick where they imposed Patrick's rule Eoghan was a leader of the Ui Néill's the northern clan descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages Eoghan began a dynasty that brought forth the High Kings of Ireland for more than 500 years our crowned jewel rings in the heart of Donegal High up on a massive hilltop it was a place of sun worship or the place of hibernation of Gráine a Celtic sun-goddess In Celtic mythology Grainne was the sister of Aine goddess of the sun, and though Grainne was known as goddess of corn or grain (springs from the earth after being nurtured by the sun) both sisters are said to have been birthed by a sunbeam or “of the sun There is also a tradition that the temple was built by Daghdha the good god or god of the earth He was known as the King of the Tuatha dé Danann a race of supernatural beings descended from the Goddess Danu They inhabited Ireland before the Celts This tradition has Daghda building the fort to protect the grave of his son A variation tells of giants building the hill and the Grianán on top a residence for the shining ones who gave birth to the children of the sídhe All of these traditions link the hill and the fort on top with supernatural beings to unseen energy and power and a link to the Otherworld With one breathtaking scene overlooking spanning miles awestruck sweeping below beautiful country side our forty shades of emerald green jewel of Ireland From inside outwards the pen flows golden precious Here stands a kingdom dating back to a time of tuatha de danann one dynasty sings over centuries Legend states that the giants of Inishowen are lying sleeping but when the sacred sword is removed they will spring to life reclaiming their ancient lands Our ancient ring stone clad fort in Irish folklore sings One such tale relates that Niall Frasach he was born when these freasa or showers fell honey silver and blood A high-king of Ireland Son of Fergal mac Maolduin Brother of Aodh Allan It is said that, when a famine occurred they carried off by force the one cow that the solitary hermit of that church had the hermit cursed the king and his host there was an earthquake people devoured one another there at this time A great cow-plague existed he prayed and the famine was lifted with showers of food and silver falling from heaven. (High King of Ireland 743-770 AD) to me it stands out one fort in a test of time On a clear day one can see five of the nine counties of Ulster from Grianán's parapets. A truly magical wonder to behold still standing in our midst sings enchanting sweet beautiful magical music to this heart