The Hill of Tara

The hill of Tara is a very important religious and civic place in pagan Ireland. it originally began as a communal passage tomb (The so called mound of the hostages) which was aligned so that the sunrise of imbolc could shine through the passageway of the tomb, along with this various woodhenges were erected around and on the hill and other burial mounds were created.

The Hill of Tara is located in the Boyne Valley in County Meath, which is known for its rich history and ancient monuments. The site is situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, and it was strategically placed in a location that allowed for easy communication and trade with other parts of Ireland.

The Hill of Tara has been a site of religious, cultural, and political significance for over 5,000 years, and it continues to be a popular destination for tourists and scholars interested in Irish history and culture.

The earliest known reference to the Hill of Tara dates back to the Neolithic period, around 4000 BCE. At this time, the site was likely used as a religious center and was associated with the worship of the sun and the moon. The ancient inhabitants of the area likely constructed a large circular enclosure on the hilltop, which was used for ritual purposes and may have been used for astronomical observations.

To the recorded Gaelic pagans who later came to inhabit the region, it is known that they made the hill the centre of the religious and governmental institution, the high king of Ireland would be ritually coronated by drinking ale and ritualling marrying the goddess Medbh. There are five roads which are said to lead directly to Ireland from all of its provinces, these roads being: Slighe Assail which went west, Slighe Miduachra which went throughout country meath, Slighe Cualann which went to Dublin, Slighe Dala which went to Ossory and Slighe Mor which went towards Galway.

Another important structure on the Hill of Tara is the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Lia Fáil. The stone is a large standing stone that is said to have been used for the coronation of the High Kings of Ireland. According to legend, the stone would roar three times when the rightful king touched it, indicating that he was the chosen ruler of Ireland.

The Hill of Tara also contains a number of other structures and features that are associated with Irish mythology and history. These include a number of burial mounds, ancient roads, and defensive ditches and embankments. The site is also associated with a number of legendary figures, including the goddess Danu and the legendary High Kings of Ireland.