HILL OF TARA

The remains of the Hill of Tara may not be truly spectacular, but their symbolic and historical significance is far-reaching, making them one of Ireland's most famous sites. Hill of Tara must have been, is and still is an inspiring site, even though all that can be seen are green mounds where sheep graze peacefully, with no regard for history... Under one mound, you'll find Mound of the Hostages, a funerary passage dating back to around 2000 BC. In the 3rd^century , Tara was the heart of the assemblies of the High Kings of Ireland (the most powerful of whom was Cormac Mac Art). No fewer than 142 high kings succeeded one another here. In those days, the title of High King was not hereditary: the High King was chosen by an assembly or earned his title on the battlefield. The ruins of royal enclosures and mysterious mounds can still be admired today. The site of Tara was also an important centre of early Christianity (St. Patrick is said to have converted the High King Laoghaire here in the^{5th century} ). In the 6th^century , Saint Ruadán put a curse on the hill of Tara: "May Tara be deserted forever! The hill was abandoned and ceased to be the political capital of Ireland, though it remained the spiritual center of pagan Ireland. It was from here, too, that in 1843 Daniel O'Connell called for a rally to protest against the treatment meted out to Catholics. Over a million people attended his speech.

On the hill of Tara, today's visitors can contemplate the Stone of Destiny. This stone was brought to Ireland by the legendary Tuatha Dé Danaan (tribes of the goddess Dana). The stone is said to roar when the rightful High King sets foot on it. Legend has it that Murtagh, king of Tara in the 6th^century , lent the stone to his brother Fergus, king of Scotland. It became known as the Stone of Scone. The English stole it in 1297 to keep it under the throne of Westminster Abbey, and only recently returned it to Scotland. Since then, it has been on display at Edinburgh Castle. However, it is said in Ireland that the authentic Stone of Destiny never left Ireland and remains to this day on the summit of the Hill of Tara. But don't try and sell that to the Scots! In any case, the Hill of Tara makes an interesting getaway to immerse yourself in these stories and this high point of Irish history.