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Dun Aonghasa, Inishmore

4.8
Must see · Ruin · Historic Site
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Perched atop a cliff, Dun Aonghasa represents the most popular of the prehistoric forts on the Aran Islands. Walk from the nearby museum up to the fort and enjoy panoramic views from the 100 m (328 ft) cliff. Marvel at the three terraced walls and intricate defense system of stones called Chevaux de Frise. Archeological studies have revealed that the fort was built in the Iron Age, possibly as far back as 1100 BCE, though the triple-wall defenses were likely added around 500 BCE. The fort is named for a pre-Christian god or mythical king, Aonghus mac Umhor. Explore the history of this ancient monument, but take care when walking and climbing around the site, especially with children, as it can be slippery. For Dun Aonghasa and beyond, use our Inishmore itinerary builder app to get the most from your Inishmore vacation.
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Dun Aonghasa reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
1,432 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • When you think you've seen all the wow there is to see in Ireland, you haven't unless you've been here. Well worth the walk up. Be aware when you are up there. There is no bubble wrap to keep you... 
    When you think you've seen all the wow there is to see in Ireland, you haven't unless you've been here. Well worth the walk up. Be aware when you are up there. There is no bubble wrap to keep you...  more »
  • Dun Aonghasa was the whole reason for me to go to Inishmore. I have wanted to see this for years. It is very easy to get to with a broad clearly defined path leading up to it. They were constructing.....  more
    Dun Aonghasa was the whole reason for me to go to Inishmore. I have wanted to see this for years. It is very easy to get to with a broad clearly defined path leading up to it. They were constructing.....  more »
  • Exhilarating from a historical perspective. Awesome views over the cliffs. A wonderful day spent on the aran islands. Very professional tour guide. Our group ranging from age 8-72 traversed the.....  more
    Exhilarating from a historical perspective. Awesome views over the cliffs. A wonderful day spent on the aran islands. Very professional tour guide. Our group ranging from age 8-72 traversed the.....  more »
Google
  • This is a great place on Inishmore. We did a tour around the Island. We stopped off to climb Dun Aonghasa. It takes about an hour up and back to get to The top. Then when we come down. We had refreshments in the cafe area. The Scenery is stunning from the top. It's worth a visit.
  • The fort is right on the edge of cliffs. The view was absolutely spectacular. Be careful in spots because some of the hike up can be a little rough lots of stone, but worth the hike. 20-30 minutes depending upon activity level. Inexpensive and well worth it.
  • One of Ireland's earliest prehistoric sites. An old fortress atop a bluff of cliffs. Absolutely gorgeous. Easy hike up and down, some slippery rocks and bigger steps up. Bring layers and rain jacket as it rains often. Well worth it!
  • Great place to visit. Not just for the history behind it, but also for the magnificent view of those cliffs! Just be careful, don't try to take silly selfies, as the winds are quite strong up there, and you definitely don't want to fall. Saying that though, the views are just stunning, scary maybe, but stunning. The fort itself is a nice place to look at too. Just make sure you read the history behind it before you walk up (if you are into reading and history) The walk itself is not difficult, but is definitely not disable friendly. Part of it is decent, but the closer you get to the top, the more uneven and rocky it gets. Also worth to mention that there are toilets and 3 small shops, one being a coffee shop, just in case you need energy before going up. If you are cycling around the island, you can leave it there too. We left it without a chain (as the bike rent guy didn't give us one) but we didn't worry, they were there when we came back. I would say this place is a must, if you are in Inis Mor
  • This is an absolutely lovely place to visit while on the island, the views are stunning. The walk up to it is not difficult for the fortunate able bodied person but the closer you get to the top, the more uneven and rocky it gets and I unfortunately managed to take an unexpected slide on the way back down so a little extra caution for those of you who may be a bit wobbly on their feet or elderly should be extra cautious. We didn't get to head over to the Wormhole as it wasn't a suitable walk with young children, however we did hear that a new business recently started up offering four wheel drive experiences which we'll definitely check them out on our next visit.

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