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Tullyhorkey, outside Ballyshannon, county Donegal, Ireland. Circular earthen dwelling structures of the early Christian age commonly associated with the faeries in Irish folklore. The following story refers to the faerie ring in the photo above, in the township of Tullyhorkey, county Donegal. "There is a bush growing in our field, and it was always known as the faerie bush. Once a little girl was coming past this bush from the well with a can of water. She saw a little violin just the length of her own little hand and a bow beside it for playing it and both were as white as snow. She brought it home with her to show her father. She was going to try and play on it but her father stopped her and told her to bring it back and leave it where she found it. When she looked for it the next morning it was gone. At other times there were little pipes found at the same place, but only very small ones. The heads of the the pipes were only as small as my thimble." Collected from an elderly local informant by Caoimhin MacAoidh in "Betweeen the Jigs and Reels."
Teelin, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland
Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland
These are the latest versions of photos previous posted. These will be the finals, I promise! County Donegal, Ireland To view large or order fine art prints and posters of this image, click here The Grianan of Aileach is an Iron Age stone fortress, in county Donegal, Ireland. Like many historic sites in Ireland there is no admission fee, there is no museum, and visited during the right time of the year, there are no tourists. In few places in the world can you wander freely in a place of such antiquity, steeped in legend and myth, without distraction. It was occupied from about 800 B.C.E. till about 1200 C.E., and according to legend was build by the renowned Kind Daghda of the Tuatha de Danann. Supposedly, the king's son Aeah was buried in the center of the fortress. It was the seat of the Kingdom of Aileach, who ruled much of Ulster at the time. It was raised once by Vikings, and Murtaigh O'Brien, Kind of Munster finished the job in 1191. It was restored to its current state in the 19th century. The actual purpose of the place is somewhat of a mystery. Ring forts and hill forts were often used to contain cattle, and served as a defense when under attack. But the size and grandeur of the place leads most to believe it also had a special governmental purpose. In addition, there are theories that the word Gianana means sunny place, and that it also served as a sun temple. St. Patrick most certainly visited n the historic period, from the middle of the sixth century, the Grianán of Aileach is always thought of as the capital of the northern Ui Neill, the dynasty descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages. It acted as such up until the twelfth century. However as it was destroyed in 1050, it was the capital in name only. It was the site where the Kings of Aileach held their inauguration ceremonies. It is written in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick that Patrick blessed the fortress and left a symbolic flagstone there prophesying that many kings and clerics would come from the place. This flagstone can no longer be found at the fortress. It is believed that a preserved flagstone at Belmont House School in Derry, called St. Columb’s Stone, is the inauguration stone. On one side of the stone, which is 2 metres square, are carved two feet marks. However, there is no substantiating evidence to back this up. Near the fortress is a well, said to have been blessed by Patrick, and to have healing properties. Whatever the truth of the place, it absolutely stinks of history and enchantment. There are no decorations aside from the lintel over the door, no adornments. It's power is through location, the magic of the circle and its size. Though imposing on the outside, it's amazing to step inside and realize how small a place of such power actually was. It's also easy to imagine it bustling with life, as well as swept up in panic as an invading army waited outside its walls. History in Ireland is like the weather, it's rarely sunny for long. But always magical. Compiled in part from Wikipedia
Rock of Cashel Cashel, County Leinster, Republic of Ireland
Panorama of the Village of Port, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland Donegal, Ireland Village of Port, County Donegal, Ireland Port is an abandoned fishing village along the Donegal coast, The weather was so poor, the seas so fierce it was eventually abandoned. The village was known for the export of strong ropes, which they needed to tie the roofs onto their houses. According to legend, the daughter of one of the locals used to meet a young man from another village along the cliffs, who would row his boat to Port for their nighttime meetings. One night the father followed her, and threw them both from the cliffs into the sea.
Ruined Cottage, Village of Port, Donegal, Republic of Ireland
Tullyhorkey, outside Ballyshannon, county Donegal, Ireland.

Circular earthen dwelling structures of the early Christian age commonly associated with the faeries in Irish folklore. The following story refers to the faerie ring in the photo above, in the township of Tullyhorkey, county Donegal.

"There is a bush growing in our field, and it was always known as the faerie bush. Once a little girl was coming past this bush from the well with a can of water. She saw a little violin just the length of her own little hand and a bow beside it for playing it and both were as white as snow. She brought it home with her to show her father. She was going to try and play on it but her father stopped her and told her to bring it back and leave it where she found it. When she looked for it the next morning it was gone. At other times there were little pipes found at the same place, but only very small ones. The heads of the the pipes were only as small as my thimble."

Collected from an elderly local informant by Caoimhin MacAoidh in "Betweeen the Jigs and Reels."
Tullyhorkey, outside Ballyshannon, county Donegal, Ireland. Circular earthen dwelling structures of the early Christian age commonly associated with the faeries in Irish folklore. The following story refers to the faerie ring in the photo above, in the township of Tullyhorkey, county Donegal. "There is a bush growing in our field, and it was always known as the faerie bush. Once a little girl was coming past this bush from the well with a can of water. She saw a little violin just the length of her own little hand and a bow beside it for playing it and both were as white as snow. She brought it home with her to show her father. She was going to try and play on it but her father stopped her and told her to bring it back and leave it where she found it. When she looked for it the next morning it was gone. At other times there were little pipes found at the same place, but only very small ones. The heads of the the pipes were only as small as my thimble." Collected from an elderly local informant by Caoimhin MacAoidh in "Betweeen the Jigs and Reels."
Tullyhorkey, outside Ballyshannon, county Donegal, Ireland.

Circular earthen dwelling structures of the early Christian age commonly associated with the faeries in Irish folklore. The following story refers to the faerie ring in the photo above, in the township of Tullyhorkey, county Donegal.

"There is a bush growing in our field, and it was always known as the faerie bush. Once a little girl was coming past this bush from the well with a can of water. She saw a little violin just the length of her own little hand and a bow beside it for playing it and both were as white as snow. She brought it home with her to show her father. She was going to try and play on it but her father stopped her and told her to bring it back and leave it where she found it. When she looked for it the next morning it was gone. At other times there were little pipes found at the same place, but only very small ones. The heads of the the pipes were only as small as my thimble."

Collected from an elderly local informant by Caoimhin MacAoidh in "Betweeen the Jigs and Reels."
See photo in original gallery.
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