Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
453. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his Department’s plans to work in cooperation with Donegal County Council and other local stakeholders to secure investment to enhance the tourism amenity that is An Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28026/26]
View answerAn Grianán of Aileach Ring Fort is a National Monument in State ownership and is under the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The OPW holds statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation and presentation of the monument (National Monument No. 140).
The OPW remains committed to the ongoing preservation and presentation of the site. This work is guided by a comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CMP), completed in September 2020, which ensures that all interventions protect the archaeological integrity of the monument and its wider landscape setting. Opening hours have been adjusted in recent years in response to feedback from the public and local representatives.
There is substantive and ongoing collaboration between the OPW, Donegal County Council and Fáilte Ireland. This partnership approach includes engagement within the framework of the Inishowen Peninsula Destination and Experience Development Plan, which identifies An Grianán of Aileach as a key site within the region.
In relation to the enhancement of tourism amenities, it is important to note that while the OPW manages the monument itself, the access road and car park are not in State ownership and fall under the remit of the Local Authority. As such, any significant enhancement of the visitor experience requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach. OPW officials continue to engage regularly with stakeholders to review visitor infrastructure, including signage and sustainable access measures, and to ensure an appropriate balance between visitor access and conservation requirements.
The OPW will continue to work in partnership with Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland and other stakeholders, and remains available to contribute its expertise to inform any future proposals.
