Located in County Meath is the Hill Of Tara (Teamhair na Rí) known as the Hill of the Kings which runs between Dunshaughlin and Navan. The history of Tara dates back to 2000 BC making it one of the most magical places in Ireland, if not the whole of Europe. The Banqueting Hall (not an actual hall) would have been the ceremonial entrance to the Hill of Tara and aligned to that is the mound of the hostages. This mound is the oldest section of Tara and is aligned with the sunset during the ancient Celtic festivals of Samhain and Imbolc. The Rath of the Synods sits between the mound of the hostages and the Banqueting Hall and after a number of excavations many Roman artefacts had been found dating between the 1st & 3rd centuries.

Ancient Monuments Of Tara

Other monuments include the Fort of the Kings, a circular Iron Age hill fort. Cormac's House (Teach Chormaic) and the Royal Seat (Forradh) which are two ring forts within that are linked. A standing stone is located in the middle of the Royal seat and is known as the Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil), this is where the High Kings of Ireland would have been crowned, with the most famous being Cormac Mac Airt. Legend says that before a King of Ireland would be crowned he would have to endure a number of challenges and touch the Stone of Destiny after completion. If he was successful and was the chosen King and the stone would scream three times which could be heard all over Ireland. The Fort of King Laoghaire is located south from the Royal enclosure and this is where the king of Ireland would have been buried. It is believed he was buried in an upright position to see any enemies or grave robbers coming.

There are over 30 monuments around the Hill of Tara with many more no longer visible, so this was a very special place for the Celts who settled in Ireland. Standing on the hill other special places such as Newgrange and the Hill of Slane can also be seen giving a great sense of history of the Irish and Celtic Culture.

St Patrick & The High Kings of Ireland

When St Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, was roaming the country he made his way to County Meath where he lit a paschal fire on the Hill of Slane on the Easter eve. Pagan belief at the time was that at all fires should be extinguished before a new one was to be lit on the Hill of Tara. So when the paschal fire on the Hill of Slane was spotted King Laoghaire was warned by the druids that he must put the flame or he will burn. King Laoghaire called on St Patrick to the Hill of Tara in which he made his way along with his followers singing the hymn of The Lorica, now known as St Patrick’s Breat plate. Today a large statue of St Patrick stands outside the church yard on the Hill of Tara.

A Song For Tara

The landscape surrounding Tara is today under serious threat from Irish politicians who have given the green light for the construction of a new motorway. Over 300 academics signed a joint letter stating the royal estate of Tara is not just a central part of Irish heritage, but is of significant importance on a world heritage scale. Construction on this ancient piece of land has already begun; construction workers started their demolition in the middle of the night.