 Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa) is the most famous of several prehistoric forts on the Aran Isles Islands and is located on Inishmore at the edge of a steep cliff.
Built during the Bronze Age and dating from 1,000 B.C. or before, Dun Aegnus is an important archaeological site. The name Dún Aengus means Fort of the Aengus, and refers to the pre-Christian god of the same name described in Irish mythology.
The fort consists of a series of four concentric walls -- although the most outer wall is almost destroyed -- and an area containing chevaux-de-frise -- sharp pieces of limestone to prevent attacks. Although clearly defensible, the particular location of Dun Aengus and suggests that its primary purpose was religious and ceremonial rather than military.
About Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa)
Megalithic Portal: Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa)
Wikipedia: Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus)
The Aran Islands: Dun Aonghasa
Megalithic Ireland: Dun Aengus Stone Fort
Megalithomania: Dun Aengus
Oileain Arann:Prehistoric Forts of the Aran Islands
Journey to Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa)
Dun Aengus is located near the village of Kilmirvey on Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands in County Galway, Ireland . It may be reached by ferries from Rossaveal or Doolin or by air from Galway.
Map Reference: L818098
Visitors Information
Visitors information may be found at the Heritage Ireland website. General tourist information may be found at the Visit Aran Islands website.
Additional Photos of Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa)
Directions to Dun Aengus
Trail to Dun Aengus
Trail to Dun Aengus
Outer Wall of Dun Aengus
Outer Wall of Dun Aengus
Chevaux de Frise, Dun Aengus
Close-Up of Chevaux de Frise, Dun Aengus
Chevaux de Frise and Outer Wall, Dun Aengus
Approaching Dun Aengus
Entrance to Dun Aengus
Entrance to Dun Aengus
Lintelled Entrance to Dun Aengus
Plaque Outside Entrance to Dun Aengus
Sign in Gaelic and English at Entrance to Dun Aengus
Inside the Entrance to Dun Aengus
Looking at the Entrance from Inside Dun Aengus
Inner Wall in Dun Aengus
Inner Wall in Dun Aengus
Recess in Inner Wall, Dun Aengus
Outer Wall of Enclosure, Dun Aengus
Outer Wall of Enclosure, Dun Aengus
Cliffs Near Dun Aengus
Cliffs Near Dun Aengus
Cliffs Near Dun Aengus
Visitors Peer Over the Edge of Cliffs in Enclosure, Dun Aengus
Leaving Dun Aengus
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