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At the gateway to the Inishowen Penninsula, a great stone fort stands at the top of a high hill commanding a spectacular panorama across the surrounding landscape. This building is known as the Greenan of Ailleach and is said to have been built by the Dagda, the chief god of the Túatha Dé Danann. The site was a fortress of the O'Neills, and commands the ancient routeway from Inishowen down into Donegal. It is close to the city of Derry, which was founded by St Columbkille. The walls had collapsed and were rebuilt by the Bord of Works in the late 18th century. There are sets of steps leading to the ramparts on the top of the walls, and there are several internal rooms and passages in the walls. There is a well on the summit of the hill not far from the fort. The site is a popular attraction, and is easy to get to: it is signposted from the main Derry - Buncranna road, any you can drive all the way to the summit, where there is a spacious car park. The last time I visited there was a hurling club having a barbecue and playing hurling within the fort, despite the damp weather.

The top of the ramparts offers a wide, sweeping view across the surrounding countryside.