Hill of Tara Mound of the Hostages Rath of Synods Banqueting Hall archaeology history prehistoric site Ireland tourist information Irish holidays images photographs pictures

81a. Hill of Tara - a MUST VISIT !!!

SCENES from IRELAND

[Author of Irish Scenes © Dr WP Brown PhD (plus 'DocsPics' help from AI these days), page updated November 19th 2025]

The old Church of Ireland Church by the Hill of Tara, which is being converted (in 2015) into a visitor information and interpretative centre. *

The Hill of Tara is one of Ireland’s most iconic archaeological and mythological landscapes—once the ceremonial seat of the High Kings and a sacred center of prehistoric ritual.

Overview and Location

Location: County Meath, Ireland, near the River Boyne
Irish name: Teamhair or Cnoc na Teamhrach, meaning “Hill of Tara”
Elevation: 155 meters above sea level
Cultural significance: A symbolic and political heart of ancient Ireland, deeply embedded in myth and legend

Historical Timeline

Period	Key Developments
Neolithic (c. 3000 BCE)	Construction of the Mound of the Hostages, a passage tomb aligned with solar events, indicating early ritual use
Bronze Age	Continued use of the site for burials and ceremonial activity
Iron Age (c. 600 BCE – 400 CE)	Emergence of Tara as a royal and ritual center, with large enclosures and earthworks
Early Medieval Period	Tara becomes the inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland, with strong mythological and political associations
Christian Era	St. Patrick is said to have visited Tara to confront pagan kings; a church and graveyard were later established

Key Archaeological Features

Mound of the Hostages: A Neolithic passage tomb used for over 1,500 years. Contains cremated and inhumed remains, grave goods, and solar-aligned architecture.
Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny): A standing stone believed to roar when the rightful king stood upon it. Central to royal inauguration rituals.
Ráith na Ríogh (Fort of the Kings): A large oval enclosure encompassing several monuments, including:
- Teach Cormaic (Cormac’s House)
- Forradh (Royal Seat)
Banqueting Hall (Tech Midchuarta): A long linear earthwork, possibly a ceremonial avenue or symbolic structure rather than a literal feasting hall.
Other features: Ringforts, barrows, and linear earthworks that reflect centuries of ritual, burial, and political use.

Mythology and Symbolism

Tara is central to Irish mythology, especially the mythological cycles involving the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians.
It was considered the axis mundi—the spiritual and political center of Ireland.
The Five Roads of Tara were said to connect it to all corners of the island, reinforcing its symbolic centrality.

Later History and Preservation

By the 12th century, Tara’s political role had waned, though its symbolic power endured.
In the 19th century, it was the site of a mass political rally led by Daniel O’Connell advocating for Catholic emancipation.
Today, it is a National Monument of Ireland, managed by the Office of Public Works, and remains a powerful symbol of Irish identity.

Maguires of Tara shop serving visitors to the historic site of the Hill of Tara.

The Hill of Tara is a mjor archaeological complex in Co. Meath, that by tradition is the seat of the High King of Ireland.

The Rath of the Synods on the Hill of Tara, at the eastern side (right) of the hilltop is now disused St Patrick's Church

An aerial view of the Rath of Synods, above right is the 'Mound of the Hostages'. from 1 AD to 200 AD it was a cemetery and from 200 - 300 AD a residential enclose. Traces of elaborate wooden buildings have been found.

Hill of Tara: The earthworks of the Rath of the Synods. Around ~200 BC it consisted of ritual enclosures,

Hill of Tara

Aerial view of the iron age enclosure on the flat top of the Hill of Tara

There two conjoined ring systems - alternate bank and ditch.

The burial mound within the Rath of the Kings on the Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara

The smaller ring on the crown of the Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara - where the two rings are joined

Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara - looking up through the ditch to the Mound of the Hostages

Hill of Tara

The Mound of the Hostages near the summit of the Hill of Tara,dates from ~3000 BC (?)

Hill of Tara - spiral carving decoration in the passage of the tomb known as the Mound of the Hostages

Hill of Tara - the stone slab construction of the tomb passage

Hill of Tara

Molly heading for the 'Banquet Hall' on the Hill of Tara

Looking down the area known as the 'Banqueting Hall' on Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara: The Banqueting Hall is a long rectangular enclose.

Hill of Tara: According to ancient Irish texts there was a great long house built here with many doors and the banks you see are described including phrases like the 'upper end' and 'lower end'.

The bank and ditch of the large oval iron age hilltop enclosure on the Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara

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