Photos

The view from Dun Aonghasa, the most widely-known stone ring fort on Inis Mor, one of the Aran Islands. The original possibly dates to 1,000 BC or before. It's possible that the current site is something of a "Medieval renovation" of the original Bronze Age hill fort. There are four concentric walls of dry stone, which spans 12 feet at some points. The original was probably oval or D-shaped but likely collapsed into the sea. The outermost wall encompasses about 14 acres. Some have asserted that the primary purpose of the site was religious or ceremonial rather than military or defensive, and that seasonal rites conducted by driuds may have taken place here. The site is ideal for defense, however; it provides a view of as much as 75 miles of coastline. It's quite a hike up to the site but the view is well worth the effort. There is no rail at the edge of the cliff, and according to guides accidents are not unknown although there usually are attendants there to keep people a safe distance from the edge. Other prehistoric sites on Inis More include Dun Duchatair and Dun Eoghanachta.