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At the Hill of Tara, Irish myth, legend and history
are one - this magical site has been home to gods and goddesses,
to druids and warriors, and to Ireland’s High Kings. Tara
is imbued with a magical, mythical atmosphere. It is the stuff of
legends, the home of gods and heroes, not mere mortals.
The Hill of Tara has a strange effect on people. From up here on
the heights one sees not only into the distance, but into Tara’s
past. Tara has more than its share of heady stories to tell - tales
of intoxicating drinks, chariot-driving High Kings and old hags
who transformed themselves into beautiful women.
Listen out for the Lia Fail (The stone of destiny) -
singing stones which announce the presence of future kings.
The past is visibly engraved in the undulating landscape at Tara
where the hillside is marked by ancient earthworks, mound formations
and the ruins of royal enclosures.
Review from about.com
Most visitors will have seen aerial views of Tara before visiting
this ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland - and a view from
above is actually the best chance to take in the landscape. Because
at the end of the day that is what Tara is about, landscape. Do
not expect monuments towering above you, do not expect regal halls.
And do not expect to get a better impression than from aerial photos.
That said, Tara is still one of top ten Irish sights and should
be on any "must-see-list". A visit to the old, disused
church will make the reasons clear. The audio-visual presentation
there sets Tara in context and fills in the background. It is best
to see this before visiting the site itself.
The Hill of Tara is reputed to allow a glimpse of no less than
25% of the Irish mainland. On a clear day you will believe this.
That is, if you can brave the ups and downs of the quite rough landscape.
There are no proper paths and visitors will sometimes have to scramble
through the ditches at the mercy of slippery grass and sheep droppings.
Access for mobility-impaired vacationers is difficult and in places
impossible. And even fleet-footed travelers should wear their trekking
boots. The reward of your troubles will be a close encounter with
ceremonial enclosures, passage tombs and landscaped areas with no
apparent (or at least obvious) reason for their existence. Indeed
the whole area is so steeped in mystery that it was partly destroyed
around a hundred years ago ...by the "British Israelites"
searching for the Ark of the Covenant.
Tara is best enjoyed outside peak times - tramping up the hill
before sunrise on a crisp November morning is an unforgettable experience.
And drop in at the shop and tea-room next to the car park, the food
is really recommended and surprisingly affordable. You will also
find plenty of literature on Tara and Irish mythology here.
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