25mi/40km northwest of Dublin, at the village of Tara (Teamhair na Riogh, "Tara of the Kings"), a narrow side road leaves the N3 on the left and ascends the famous Hill of Tara, a low grassy hill from which there are extensive views to the north and west.
In prehistoric times Tara was already known as a religious center. From the third century
onwards this was the seat of kings - at first petty priest kings and later the high kings of Ireland. Every three years popular assemblies were held here at which laws were promulgated and disputes between the clans were settled. With the spread of Christianity Tara lost its importance as a cult site but remained the seat of the high kings until its abandonment in 1022.
Centuries later, in 1843, Tara was again the scene of a great assembly - a mass meeting at which Daniel O'Connell made a speech calling for Catholic Emancipation.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
