“speak on, thou castle of aileach, many a thing must one ask of thee, thou fair, long-standing dwelling, regarding the warriors of ireland”
an griánan aile fanad head
a n g r i á n a n a i l e a c h [fortress of the sun]
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ug The visitor centre will house an interperative exhibition on the history of the ancient site as well as an insight into the local natural history, flaura & fauna, whilst maintaining a respect and sensitivity to an griánan aileach . The cen tre will provide a sustainable reponse to t he in creasing environmental requirements and the isolated location of the site in relation to public services, whilst also utilising locally sourced materials. The cen tre will enhance the experience of the visitor as they are taken on a journey to the site, guided through the building , gently upwards into the hillside, eventually emerging into the daylight where an griánan ailea ch is gradually revealed to them as they ascend the path full in the knowledge of it’s ancient and monumentous past.
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the main objective of the scheme is the rejuvenation of an historically important monument, which has long been neglected and ignored by the Office of Public Works despite the best efforts of the local and wider community.
letterkenny
griánan aileach
derry 11.25km
21.50km
eire context
c o u n t y d o n e g a l / c o u n t y d e r r y c o n t e x t an griánan aileach hillfort
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inch island
lough swilly estuary
site loaction plan scale
lo u g h s w i l l y p a n orama from griánan aileach
the seat of power: aileach to anyone acquainted with the history of ireland the name aileach speaks of kings and kingdoms, of battles and fierce forays, of festive gatherings and of cultural events. it suggests great councils that were held on its summit and momentous decisions that were made in its halls. for a thousand years the history of the north was moulded and shaped from this seat of p o w e r. t h e l i v e s o f t h e p e o p l e w h o d w e l t i n t h e f o u r c o r n e r s o f t h e w h o l e i s l a n d w e r e a f f e c t e d and influenced by the rulers of the kingdom of the north whose centre of authority aileach was. “ w h e r e a i l e a c h g u a r d s ” b y b r i a n b o n n e r published 1974
national secondary road lo ill y
solar path
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agricultural land
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south westerly prevailing winds
pedestrian access
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main site access
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1:5000
e untilled land
a c c e s s a n d a p p r oach
wind and solar analysis
site views
land uses
site c o n t e x t & a n a l ysis damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
griánan aileach hillfort visitor centre
jou r n e y t o s i t e - p r ocession to grianan aileach
concept development the symbol representing the triumvirate of goddesses of the tuatha de dannan, r e p r e s e n t i n g t u t e l a r y, l a n d i n c a r n a t e a n d l i g h t eriu, bandba and fotla
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1 . a p p r o a c h t o s i te
concept phase 1
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2 . a p p r o a c h t o h i llfort
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3 . l o u g h s w i l l y v iew from grianan aileach concept phase 2
4 . e n t r a n c e t o g r ianan aileach
photographic nodes
precedent stud y 5 . i n t er n a l v i e w f rom walls grianan aileach
Pous t i n i a Kilsh e e l a n , I r e l a n d Bate s M a h e r
concept phase 3
arch a e o l i n k v i s i t o r c e n t r e aber d e e n s h i r e 6 . s u n s e t v i e w f r om walls grianan aileach
edwa r d c u l l i n a n a r c h i t e c t s
ther m a l b a t h s vals, s w i t z e r l a n d z pete r z u m t h o r concept phase 4 7. s u n s e t v i e w g r i anan aileach
damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
griรกnan aileach hillfort visitor centre
site section
scale 1:500
en tra nc ite os et
site p l a n
scale 1:500
damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
griรกnan aileach hillfort visitor centre
eriu chamber 1. entrance foyer 2. cafe 3. orientation 4. reception/servery 5. audio visual room 6. toilet area
7. timeline exhibition
b a n d b a c h a m b e r 8. flaura & fauna exhibition 4 5
fotla chamber 9. interperative exhibition
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10. exit to griรกnan aileach hillfort
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gro u n d f l o o r p l a n
scale 1:200
damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
griรกnan aileach hillfort visitor centre
environmental s t u d y ambient light throughout route natural ventilation
sec t i o n a l p e r s p e c t i ve a-a
the building is enclosed within the landscape and utilises thermal mass materials. this in tandem with a ground source heat pump helps to achieve a more sustainable building providing both an environmental and practical response for a development isolated from main public services. the use of controlled natural light reduces the electrical requirements for a building which will be utilised primarily in daylight hours.
scale 1:100
south-westerly prevailing winds
south-westerly prevailing winds ambient light throughout route natural ventilation
3d building stud y
sec t i o n a l p e r s p e c t i ve b-b
scale 1:100
sec t i o n a l p e r s p e c t i ve c-c
scale 1:100
donegal grey quartz
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donegal slate
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mat e r i a l s damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
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key plan
griรกnan aileach hillfort visitor centre
sec t i o n d - d
scale 1:200
wes t e l e v a t i o n
site e l e v a t i o n
scale 1:200
scale 1:500
damien mc gonigle d1a portfolio review
griรกnan aileach hillfort visitor centre