The Lia Fail

Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara was the Coronation place of Irelands pre-Christian kings, and is one of Irelands more famous sites. This was not an hereditary Kingship, the kings either won it in battle or were chosen for it. There are a number of earthworks remaining on the hill, they are inside a large iron age enclosure known as a Hill Fort. To the South lies a ring fort known as King Laoghaire's Fort, North of this in the middle of the enclosure are two linked ring forts, to the west is Cormacs House and to the east is The Royal Seat, in the centre of Cormacs House stands a pillarstone which is believed to be the Lia Fail (stone of Destiny) or Coronation Stone. The pillarstone, a prehistoric phallic symbol, originally stood near a 4,000 year old neolithic passage tomb known as the Mound of the Hostages, in the Northern part of the enclosure.

 
North of the enclosure is a 2,000 year old earthwork, The Fort of the Synods,which is built around an earlier burial mound known as the King's Chair. Further North is a long area with banks on either side this is known as the Banqueting Hall and may have been used as such or may have been an entrance road to Tara. To the north-west are two more ring works named the Sloping trenches. Tara is also associated with the prehistoric goddess Medb or Maeve and on another hill about half a mile south of Tara is a Hill fort known as Rath Maeve. There are other megalithic remains at Tara, such as the Standing stones in the graveyard of the church which is now used as the visitor centre.

Mound of the Hostages

Mound of the Hostages Interior

Situated: Off theDublin to Navan road. The Hill of Tara is well signposted, It is about 1 mile west of the main road, and has a Car Park and Visitor Centre.

Discovery Map 36: H 955 213. Last visit February 2004.

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

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