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Natural Monuments

Hill of Tara

Natural Monuments

Hill of Tara

Highlight • Historical Site

Hill of Tara

Name: Hill of Tara
Rating: 2

Recommended by 16 hikers

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Location: Meath, Ireland

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Best Hikes to Hill of Tara

1. Hill of Tara via Stone of Destiny

1.30km

00:21

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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2. Hill of Tara loop from Kilmessan

3.55km

00:57

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3. Hill of Tara – Stone of Destiny loop from Kilmessan

3.60km

00:58

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Angelina Kuhlmann

August 9, 2021

In the catchment area of the Boyne Valley you will find not only the impressive historical stone tombs of Brú na Bóinne but also the Hill of Tara. Looking back at the history of this magical place, the Hill of Tara can arguably be called the heart of earlier Irish history and paganism.

Up until the 12th century it was one of the most important religious and power-political places in Ireland. For a long time the Hill of Tara was used as the center of power for the so-called Hochkönige. The traditions report that the coronation of the Hochkönig by the fate stone should have taken place. The coronation stone still exists today. According to tradition, he should have uttered a scream when the rightful king touched him. The mythology differs from the reality, because there never was one Hochkönig in Ireland. So the Hill of Tara was most likely used by several regional rulers.

But even before the 3rd century AD, the place must have had a religious significance. That is what the buildings and finds suggest. Today, of the former monuments, the hill of the hostages (a passage grave), various Raths (circles of the earth from the Iron Age), the stone of destiny and the St. Patrick's Church are still present. It is believed that in earlier times there were wooden structures in various places on the Hill of Tara that are no longer there today.

With the spread of Christianity, the Hill of Tara lost its importance as a place of worship. But today it is still considered the home of gods and druids and numerous myths surround this place: heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/hill-of-tara.

Translated by Google •

Mirco Dö

August 14, 2023

The Hill of Tara is the coronation site of the ancient Irish High Kings. You have a great view over 9 Irish counties

Translated by Google •

Bumble-Bee

April 11, 2024

The Hill of Tara has been important since the late Stone Age, when a passage tomb was built there. However, the site became truly significant in the Iron Age (600 BC to 400 AD) and into the Early Christian Period when it rose to supreme prominence – as the seat of the high kings of Ireland. All old Irish roads lead to this critical site.

St Patrick himself went there in the fifth century. As Christianity achieved dominance over the following centuries, Tara’s importance became symbolic. Its halls and palaces have now disappeared and only earthworks remain.

There are still remarkable sights to be seen, however. Just one example is the Lia Fáil – the great coronation stone and one of the four legendary treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann – which stands proudly on the monument known as An Forradh.

heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/hill-of-tara

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Elevation 150 m

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Friday 31 October

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Meath, Ireland

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Hill of Tara

1. Hill of Tara via Stone of Destiny

2. Hill of Tara loop from Kilmessan

3. Hill of Tara – Stone of Destiny loop from Kilmessan

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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