Visit the Residences of...
Sort by:
Name |
|
Meath's District of
Tara
Ceann mor:
 Tara may be considered the
"Mother
City" of Eire. Although it did not become the
Royal Seat of the High King until the third century AD, there is ample
evidence that the site has seen almost continuous use since about 3,000
BC.
 It was enobled with warlike Chiefs. To be viewed it was a splendid Hill During the time of Cormac Mac Airt. Enlightened was his train of Bards Who kept the Records in careful Order. And what they said was respected By all the Teachers of each Art. ~10th c. tribute to Tara by O'Hartigan, Book of Ballymote Failte, traveller! You are welcomed to the Hill of Tara by none other than the Árd Rí Éireann Diarmait mac Cerbaill himself. Ah, the view from this summit is magnificent today, isn't it? Look south and you can see the outline of the henge that is called Ráith Maeve. Turn to the northwest and you may see the sparkle of the sunlight on the crystal facade of Newgrange. How I loved this land. I reigned as Árd Rí from 545 to 565, AD. Son of Fergus Cerrbel, chieftain of the southern Ui Neill, I was defeated in battle, cursed by saints and druids, and finally died a most complicated and tragic death. Perhaps that is why I still roam these grounds, in search of a more peaceful ending. You are curious about this place that I love so well, traveller. And so I will speak to you of what I know. Perhaps then you will come to love Tara as much as I do.  Let's begin here at the highest point of Tara Hill, with the earliest structure of this complex - the Mound of Hostages or Duma na nGiall . It was named for the practice common among old Irish kings of taking and holding important persons from other provinces in order to ensure alliance or submission. Niall of the Nine Hostages is a shining example. His nine hostages were powerful people from each of Ireland's provinces and a few from Britain as well.  Now let's move southward along this summit to the most interesting part of Tara's grounds. Crowning Tara Hill is Ráith na Ríg, the "fort of kings". Here is what is left of a circular henge-like enclosure nearly 1000 meters in circumference. Originally it was a ritual area. Later defensive stone walls were built around it and three new entrances added, with the most important one to the east. One layer in the original bank of this enclosure contains remnants of ironworking which indicates that it must have been built during the latest part of the Bronze Age. Some of the foundation was cut as deeply as 3.5 meters into the turf. Within the protective enclosure of Ráith na Rig are two connected ringforts: Tech Cormaic (Cormac's House), and the Forradh or Royal Seat. In the middle of the Forradh, at the heart of Tara, sits the stone that is called Lia Fáil. Some know it as the Stone of Destiny.  People have been building here at Tara for four thousand years, from the middle of the neolithic age up until the time when Christianity came to Ireland, around 400 AD. Looking back beyond the Mound of Hostages, there is a trace of a long, narrow shape that seems to lead into this complex. It is called Tech Midchúarta (the Banquet Hall) but it was never a feasting place at all. This was the main road into Tara. Five roads converge here, from all sides of Ireland. Just imagine the magnificent assemblies and ceremonies that took place on these grounds! I will leave you now, traveller. There is much more to explore in Tara, whether it be through the ancient writings, the tools of your modern learning, or through your own imagination. Enjoy!   Image Credits Neighbourhood builders:
The Articles of Tara:
Sort by: Featured Date | |
The Discussions of Tara:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
