Royal Sites of Ireland

At the south-east end of the Curragh of Kildare is Dún Ailinne, which in historic times was a symbol of Laigin or the Leinster kingship. At this time Leinster consisted of the south-east of Ireland and its northern-most border with Midhe (Meath) was defined by the River Liffey. During this period the Leinster men were rivals of Uí Néill of Midhe who were creating the myth that the Hill of Tara was the seat of the Irish High Kings from time immemorial. Not to be outdone, the Leinster men developed Dún Ailinne as the symbol of Leinster kings.

Dún Ailinne consists of a massive bank and ditch enclosing the summit of an entire hill, built sometime after 700BC. The enclosure, 365m across, probably defines the ceremonial space of this royal site, and is similar to the large ceremonial enclosures at Tara and Eamain Macha (Navan). Archaeological excavations have shown that there was activity on the hill top since the Neolithic, and uncovered a complex series of later prehistoric building phases in timber. These timber structures appear to have been ceremonial buildings.

One phase consisted of three concentric trenches, each originally supporting an upright timber fence, and enclosing an area 28m across. At the south a smaller circular timber structure was attached, and at the east was an entrance to the main structure with a funnel-shaped avenue leading to it. This must have been some form of ceremonial structure, but we know very little about how it was used. However, the most remarkable feature of this structure is that it is very similar to a structure found at Navan dated to about 150BC.

Earth Bank and Internal Ditch

Timber Structures

County Kildare

Historic Periods Iron Age

Altitude 183 m

Coordinates 53°06′55″N 6°46′32″W

KEY FEATURES

Perched atop Knockaulin hill, Dún Ailinne features a vast ceremonial enclosure, complex timber structures built and rebuilt through the Iron Age, and evidence of feasting and craft production. These features reveal a powerful ritual centre, where political authority, seasonal gatherings, and elite social performances shaped ancient Irish kingship.

Earth Bank and Internal Ditch

Dún Ailinne is defined by a massive circular earth bank with an internal ditch, an architectural form that is symbolic rather than defensive. Encircling about 13 hectares atop the hill, this enclosure set apart a sacred ceremonial zone. Visible from afar, it projected political authority and framed ritual movement within. Ubiquitous at royal inauguration sites, this layout reinforced Leinster kingship through space and symbolism.

Timber Structures

Excavations revealed three successive timber structures built in concentric ring patterns within the enclosure. Beginning with a simple circular palisade (White Phase), it evolved into a complex figure of eight structure with a funnel‑shaped entrance (Rose Phase) and culminated in the Mauve Phase, an elaborate double palisade encircling smaller timber circles. These indicate repeated ceremonial rebuilding, perhaps marking evolving ritual practices.