The Best and Worst of Europe by Rick Steves
After Prague, Kraków and Budapest are central Europe's best cities. Bratislava (Slovakia) and Bucharest (Romania) are probably my least favorite of the big ...
Dun Aengus
I'll close with a lightning round of "ultimates" (what travel writer can resist?): the ultimate medieval walled town in Germany ( Rothenburg), prehistoric stone fortress in Ireland ( <anchor>Dun Aengus</anchor>), Riviera town (Vernazza), hike in England's Lake District (Catbells above Keswick), neighborhood pub in London (The Anglesea Arms), castle in North Wales (nope, I still can't pick just one)...and pedestrian market street in Paris (Rue Cler).
Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort | Heritage Ireland
Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort \| Heritage Ireland[Skip to content](#main)

# [**Heritage** Ireland](/)

[OPW](/)

- [Home](/)
- [Visit](/visit/)
- [Places to visit](/visit/places-to-visit)
- Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort

![Aerial view of Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-directly-above-160x107.jpg)

# Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort

One of western Europe’s most magnificent stone forts

[See all opening times](#place--opening)

# Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort

One of western Europe’s most magnificent stone forts

[See all opening times](#place--opening)

### On this page

- [Description](#description)
- [Gallery](#gallery)
- [Opening Times](#place--opening)
- [Contact](#place--contact)
- [Facilities](#features)
- [Nearby Places](#place--nearby)
- [You might also like](#also)

### Dún Aonghasa visitor centre will close to the public from 16 August 2024 for refurbishment. Visitors can still access Dún Aonghasa via the path and OPW Guides are on duty on the site as usual. There is no charge to visit the site for the duration of these works. Temporary bathrooms are available on site. We hope to reopen the Visitor Centre with a brand new exhibition in March 2025

### Admission

Adult: €5.00

Group/Senior: €4.00

Child/Student: €3.00

Family: €13.00

Free admission when staying overnight on Inis Mór, in participating accommodation.

### Getting here

Cill Mhuirbhigh

Inis Mór

Aran Islands

Co. Galway

H91 YT20

[Get Directions](#place--contact)

# Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort

Visitor Safety Information

Dún Aonghasa is about 1km from the Visitor Centre and is approached over rising ground. The last section of the path is over rough, natural rock and care is needed, especially when descending. Boots or strong walking shoes are recommended. There is no fence or barrier at the edge of the cliff.

Perilously perched on a sheer sea-cliff, Dún Aonghasa defiantly faces the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands.

The fort consists of three massive drystone defence walls. Outside them is a _chevaux-de-frise_ – that is, a dense band of jagged, upright stones, thousands in number. A devastatingly effective way to impede intruders, the _chevaux-de-frise_ surrounds the entire fort from cliff to cliff.

Dún Aonghasa is over 3,000 years old. Excavations have revealed significant evidence of prehistoric metalworking, as well as several houses and burials. The whole complex was refortified in AD 700–800.

The visit involves a short hike over rising ground and rough, natural rock, so come prepared with boots or strong walking shoes. Be careful, too, when walking near the cliff – there is no fence or barrier at the edge of the 87-metre drop.

[****Highlights****![Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort Highlights](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun_Aonghasa_waves-320x213.jpg)](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa//highlights/)

## Gallery

- [![The cliffs at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-cliffs-320x213.jpg)The cliffs at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-cliffs.jpg)
- [![Aerial view of Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-directly-above-320x213.jpg)Dún Aonghasa\
Credit National Monuments Service](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-directly-above.jpg)
- [![The exterior walls at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-exterior-walls-320x216.jpg)The exterior walls at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-exterior-walls.jpg)
- [![The interior walls of Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-interior-walls-320x228.jpg)The interior walls of Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-interior-walls.jpg)
- [![Sunset at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-sunset-320x214.jpg)Sunset at Dún Aonghasa](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-sunset.jpg)
- [![A view back across the karst landscape of Inis Mór](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-view-back-across-inis-mor-320x213.jpg)A view back across the karst landscape of Inis Mór](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Dun-Aonghasa-view-back-across-inis-mor.jpg)

## Opening Times

Open all Year.

**Closed 24 – 30 December.**

Average Length of Visit: **1 – 1.5 Hours**

### Notice

Please note that Dún Aonghasa is a vulnerable site. Visitors are therefore asked to co-operate with our effort to protect this monument by not interfering with this site in any way.

**Visitor safety information:** The site is about 1km from the Visitor Centre and is approached over rising ground. The last section of the path is over rough, natural rock and care is needed, especially when descending.  Boots or strong walking shoes are recommended. There is no fence or barrier at the edge of the cliff.

### Seasonal Opening Times

January – March

09:30 – 16:00

April – October

09:30 – 18:00

November – December

09:30 – 16:00

Closed 24 – 30 December .

## Contact

Cill Mhuirbhigh

Inis Mór

Aran Islands

Co. Galway

H91 YT20

099 61008

[dunaonghasa@opw.ie](mailto:dunaonghasa@opw.ie)

## Getting Here

Located 7 km west of Cill Rónáin. Local ferry boat service from Ros a ‘Mhíl to Cill Rónáin. Air service from Indreabhán to Cill Éinne. Private tourist buses and bicycle hire available in Cill Rónáin.

[Open location in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/53.1255535,-9.7668478)

Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions

- [bicycle](https://goo.gl/maps/J11qXfTZ3trbUfRu8)
- [walking](https://goo.gl/maps/WiyjpFw4mF7YBinDA)

FacilitiesRestrictions

## Facilities

- Bicycle Parking
- Café
- Card Accepted
- Exhibition
- Guided tours
- Interpretive exhibit
- Toilets

## Restrictions

- Dogs on lead
- Limited Access
- Stay back from edge
- Uneven walkways

## Nearby sites to visit

- ### Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort

- [**![](/assets/themes/heritage_2023/images/map/mapicon_.php?colour=9b8c00&ico=https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/07/Cottages.svg)Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara- Pearse’s Cottage and Visitor Centre** \
_A cottage steeped in revolutionary history and Gaelic culture_\
\
Approx. **30.8 km** from Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/ionad-culturtha-an-phiarsaigh-connemara-pearse-cottage/)
- [**![](/assets/themes/heritage_2023/images/map/mapicon_.php?colour=873006&ico=https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/07/castles.svg)Aughnanure Castle** \
_A historical gem in the heart of Connemara_\
\
Approx. **46.1 km** from Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/aughnanure-castle/)
- [**![](/assets/themes/heritage_2023/images/map/mapicon_.php?colour=00a8b5&ico=https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/07/Abbeys.svg)Scattery Island and Visitor Centre** \
_Discover the History, Myth and Legend of Scattery Island_\
\
Approx. **59.4 km** from Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/scattery-island-visitor-centre/)

## You might also like

- [![Aerial view of Charles Fort](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Charles-Fort-320x200.jpg)**Charles Fort Military Fortress** \
\
_A star-shaped military fortress that has stood firm for centuries_](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/charles-fort-military-fortress/)
- [![A couple enjoying a visit to the Céide Fields visitor centre](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Céide-Fields-320x200.jpg)**Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre** \
\
_The world’s most extensive Stone Age monument_](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/ceide-fields-neolithic-site-visitor-centre/)
- [![Close up of passage tomb](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2020/03/Carrowmore-2-320x211.jpg)**Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery** \
\
_Ireland’s oldest megalithic tombs set in a dramatic neolithic landscape_](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery/)

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)

## Heritage Card

Unlimited access to Ireland’s past

[Buy one today](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/heritage-card/)

## Join our mailing list

Email

Marketing Permissions \*

Are you happy to receive marketing material via email from Heritage Ireland

- Yes
- No

You can unsubscribe at any time. For information about our privacy policy, please visit our [Privacy Policy](https://heritageireland.ie/privacy-policy/)

Subscribe

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/heritageireland/)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/heritageireopw)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/heritageirelandopw/)

- [Accessibility Statement](https://heritageireland.ie/accessibility/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://heritageireland.ie/privacy-policy/)
- [Contact Us](https://heritageireland.ie/contact-us/)

[Design by **New Graphic**](https://newgraphic.ie/)

- [Visit](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/)
  - [Places to visit](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/)
    - [Ancient East](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/irelands-ancient-east/)
    - [Dublin](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/dublin/)
    - [Hidden Heartlands](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/irelands-hidden-heartlands/)
    - [Wild Atlantic Way](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/wild-atlantic-way/)
  - [What’s on](https://heritageireland.ie/whats-on/)
  - [Site Accessibility](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/accessibility/)
  - [Unique Experiences](https://heritageireland.ie/unique-experiences/)
  - [Trade Groups & Public Groups](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/trade-groups/)
    - [Travel Trade & Public Group Benefits](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/trade-groups/group-visit-benefits/)
    - [Plan your itinerary](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/trade-groups/plan-your-itinerary/)
  - [Free Wednesday](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/free-wednesday/)
  - [Heritage Card](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/heritage-card/)
- [Buy a Heritage Card](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/heritage-card/)
- [Venue Hire](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/venue-hire/)
  - [Weddings](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/venue-hire/weddings/)
  - [Community Events](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/venue-hire/community-events/)
  - [Corporate Events](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/venue-hire/corporate-events/)
  - [Filming and Photography](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/venue-hire/filming-and-photography/)
- [About](https://heritageireland.ie/about/)
  - [What we do](https://heritageireland.ie/about/what-we-do/)
  - [Who we are](https://heritageireland.ie/about/who-we-are/)
  - [Our history](https://heritageireland.ie/about/our-history/)
  - [Our values](https://heritageireland.ie/about/our-values/)
  - [Recruitment](https://heritageireland.ie/recruitment/)
    - [Testimonials](https://heritageireland.ie/recruitment/testimonials/)
    - [What Our Visitors Say](https://heritageireland.ie/recruitment/what-our-visitors-say/)
    - [Gallery and Video](https://heritageireland.ie/recruitment/gallery-and-video/)
  - [Work with us : Café Concessions](https://heritageireland.ie/about/work-with-us-cafe-concessions/)
- [Learn](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/)
  - [Description and History of National Monuments](https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/)
  - [Conservation & Research](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/)
    - [What we do](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/what-we-do/)
    - [Collections](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/collections/)
    - [Structures](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/structures/)
    - [Gardens & Landscape](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/gardens-landscape/)
    - [People](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/people/)
    - [Awards](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/conservation-research/awards/)
  - [Educational School Visits](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/educational-school-visits/)
    - [Downloads](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/educational-resources/downloads/)
    - [Videos](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/educational-resources/videos/)
    - [Irish sign language Videos](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/educational-resources/isl-videos/)
  - [Educational Resources](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/educational-resources/)
  - [Online Exhibitions](https://heritageireland.ie/learn/exhibitions/)
  - [Blog](https://heritageireland.ie/blog/)
  - [Heritage Ireland Magazine](https://heritageireland.ie/magazine/)

SearchAltamont GardensAnnes Grove GardensArbour Hill CemeteryArdfert CathedralAskeaton CastleAthenry CastleAughnanure CastleBallyhack CastleBarryscourt CastleBattle of the BoyneBoyle AbbeyBrú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)Cahir CastleCarlingford CastleCarrowmore Megalithic CemeteryCasino MarinoCastletown House and ParklandsCharles FortClonmacnoiseCorlea Trackway Visitor CentreCustom House Visitor CentreCéide FieldsDerrynane HouseDesmond Castle AdareDesmond Castle KinsaleDesmond Castle NewcastlewestDoe CastleDonegal CastleDoneraile EstateDublin CastleDungarvan CastleDunmore CaveDwyer McAllister CottageDún AonghasaEmo CourtEnnis FriaryFamine Warhouse 1848Farmleigh House and EstateFerns CastleFore AbbeyFota Arboretum and GardensGarden of RemembranceGlebe House and GalleryGlendalough Visitor CentreGovernment BuildingsGrangegorman Military CemeteryHeywood GardensHill of TaraHolycross AbbeyIlnacullin – Garinish IslandIonad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara – Pearse’s CottageIrish National War Memorial GardensIveagh GardensJerpoint AbbeyKells PrioryKilkenny CastleKilmainham GaolListowel CastleLoughcrew CairnsLough GurMaynooth CastleNational Botanic GardensNational Botanic Gardens KilmacurraghNewmills Corn and Flax MillsOld Mellifont AbbeyOrmond CastleParke’s CastlePearse Museum – St. Enda’s ParkPhoenix ParkPhoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown CastlePhoenix Park – People’s Flower GardensPortumna Castle and GardensRathcroghanRathfarnham CastleReginald’s TowerRock of CashelRoscrea Heritage Centre – Roscrea Castle and Damer HouseRoss CastleRoyal Hospital KilmainhamScattery Island CentreSeán Mac Diarmada CottageSkellig MichaelSligo AbbeySt. Mary’s Church GowranSt Audoen’s ChurchSt Stephen’s GreenSwiss CottageThe Blasket Centre – Ionad an BhlascaoidThe John F. Kennedy ArboretumThe Main GuardTintern AbbeyTrim CastleÁras an Uachtaráin

- [EN](https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/)
- [GA](https://heritageireland.ie/ga/tabhair-cuairt/ar-suiomhanna/dun-aonghasa-seandun-cloiche)

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/heritageireland/)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/heritageireopw)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/heritageirelandopw/)

SearchAltamont GardensAnnes Grove GardensArbour Hill CemeteryArdfert CathedralAskeaton CastleAthenry CastleAughnanure CastleBallyhack CastleBarryscourt CastleBattle of the BoyneBoyle AbbeyBrú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)Cahir CastleCarlingford CastleCarrowmore Megalithic CemeteryCasino MarinoCastletown House and ParklandsCharles FortClonmacnoiseCorlea Trackway Visitor CentreCustom House Visitor CentreCéide FieldsDerrynane HouseDesmond Castle AdareDesmond Castle KinsaleDesmond Castle NewcastlewestDoe CastleDonegal CastleDoneraile EstateDublin CastleDungarvan CastleDunmore CaveDwyer McAllister CottageDún AonghasaEmo CourtEnnis FriaryFamine Warhouse 1848Farmleigh House and EstateFerns CastleFore AbbeyFota Arboretum and GardensGarden of RemembranceGlebe House and GalleryGlendalough Visitor CentreGovernment BuildingsGrangegorman Military CemeteryHeywood GardensHill of TaraHolycross AbbeyIlnacullin – Garinish IslandIonad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara – Pearse’s CottageIrish National War Memorial GardensIveagh GardensJerpoint AbbeyKells PrioryKilkenny CastleKilmainham GaolListowel CastleLoughcrew CairnsLough GurMaynooth CastleNational Botanic GardensNational Botanic Gardens KilmacurraghNewmills Corn and Flax MillsOld Mellifont AbbeyOrmond CastleParke’s CastlePearse Museum – St. Enda’s ParkPhoenix ParkPhoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown CastlePhoenix Park – People’s Flower GardensPortumna Castle and GardensRathcroghanRathfarnham CastleReginald’s TowerRock of CashelRoscrea Heritage Centre – Roscrea Castle and Damer HouseRoss CastleRoyal Hospital KilmainhamScattery Island CentreSeán Mac Diarmada CottageSkellig MichaelSligo AbbeySt. Mary’s Church GowranSt Audoen’s ChurchSt Stephen’s GreenSwiss CottageThe Blasket Centre – Ionad an BhlascaoidThe John F. Kennedy ArboretumThe Main GuardTintern AbbeyTrim CastleÁras an Uachtaráin