The Hill of Tara: Ireland’s Sacred Heart

Located in County Meath, the Hill of Tara is an archaeological and historical site that has played an important role in Irish history for thousands of years. It was the political and religious center of the ancient Celtic kingdom of Ireland and was associated with many mythological and legendary tales. The Hill of Tara has also been the site of important archaeological discoveries, shedding light on the early history of Ireland and its cultural traditions. Today, the Hill of Tara is a favored tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world who come to explore its ancient monuments and landmarks.

Age of The Site

For over five millennia, the Hill of Tara has been utilized as a location for assembly and burial. Its reputation, however, skyrocketed when it became known as the fabled location where the old High Kings of Ireland were crowned. The oldest monument on the Hill of Tara is Dumha Na nGiall, also known as the Mound of the Hostages. It is a Neolithic passage tomb that was built around 3200 BC. This tomb is a significant archaeological find and provides valuable insights into the burial practices of the people who lived in the area during the Neolithic period.

Comparisons can be drawn between the Hill of Tara and other well-known historical sites worldwide. For instance, Stonehenge is believed to have been constructed around 3000-2000 B.C.E. Similarly, the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza are thought to have been built around 2600 B.C.E., which makes them younger than the Hill of Tara by over 600 years.

Mythology of Tara

According to archaeological evidence, Tara was not believed to have had permanent residences such as palaces. Still, it is famous as the dwelling place of the High King of Ireland in Irish mythology. The legend of Conn of the Hundred Battles highlights the significance of Tara and describes how the Kingship of Ireland was granted through the otherworld. Conn and his followers protected Ireland from the people of the otherworld by standing on the ramparts of Tara. When Conn unintentionally stepped on the Lia Fáil, also known as the Stone of Destiny, it cried out to signify each descendant of Conn who would become the High King. Lug, the good god, then granted Tara to Conn and instructed the goddess Medhbh to serve Conn and his successors with ale until the Day of Judgement.

Saint Patrick was believed to be called to Tara after he lit a Pascal fire at the Hill of Slane as an act of rebellion against the pagan King of Tara.

Discovery of Tara

In 1843, Daniel ‘The Liberator’ O’Connell delivered a speech denouncing the Union of Great Britain and Ireland at Tara, a site with great symbolic value to the Irish, where around one million people had gathered. O’Connell picked Tara because of its potent significance to the Irish people, much like the rebels did in 1798. During the late 19th & early 20th centuries, a group known as the British Israelites conducted unprofessional excavations at Rath Na Seanadh, or the Rath of Synods, based on myths and legends that suggested that the Ark of the Covenant was buried there. Early Irish monks likely invented these stories to link the Bible and Ireland’s prehistory. These excavations caused extensive damage and were eventually halted.

In 1902, Tara was regarded as “the most sacred spot in Ireland” by prominent figures of the Gaelic Revival. In the 1950s, professional archaeologists, led by Sean P. O’Riordan and later by Ruaidhri de Valera, excavated various sites in Tara, including the Mound of the Hostages, the Rath of the Synods, and the bank and ditch of Rath Na Rí. The artifacts discovered during these excavations are now exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Significance of site as burial site/rituals

The Hill of Tara was a site of great spiritual and religious significance in prehistoric and Celtic times, and it was associated with several burial and ritual practices. Archaeological excavations at Tara have revealed evidence of various burial practices, including cremation burials, inhumation burials, and burial in cist graves.

The belief in the Otherworld legacy associated with Tara made it a significant location for rituals and burials. The site contains numerous burial mounds and tombs, including the Mound of the Hostages, a passage tomb believed to date back to the Neolithic period. The Celts also used the site for rituals, adding features such as standing stones and an outer ring of post-and-rail fencing.

The Bottom Line

the Hill of Tara is an important archaeological and historical site in Ireland. It was a center of power and worship for ancient Irish kings, and its ruins and monuments offer a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The site is a must-visit for anyone interested in Irish history and mythology.