The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí)

The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland, rich in myth and archaeology.

The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí, 'Tara of the Kings') in County Meath was the ceremonial and political heart of ancient Ireland, the seat where the High Kings were inaugurated. Though its earthworks now look like gentle grassy rings, they cover thousands of years of history.

At its centre stands the Lia Fáil, the 'Stone of Destiny', said to roar aloud when touched by the rightful king.

At a glance

• The inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland.
• A vast complex of ancient earthworks in Co. Meath.
• Home to the Lia Fáil, the 'Stone of Destiny'.

In County Meath

The Hill of Tara is in County Meath, An Mhí in Irish, which means “the middle (the middle kingdom)”.

More in Meath

• Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• Ráth Chairn (Ráth Chairn): Ireland's youngest Gaeltacht, created in 1935 when Irish-speaking families were resettled from Connemara.
• Trim Castle (Caisleán Bhaile Átha Troim): The largest Norman castle in Ireland, on the banks of the Boyne.

Other places of this kind

• The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
• The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
• Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
• The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig): A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.
• Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis): A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.
• Navan Fort (Emain Macha) (Eamhain Mhacha): The legendary ancient capital of Ulster, home of the Red Branch Knights and Cú Chulainn's tales.

The Irish name

The Irish form of The Hill of Tara is Teamhair na Rí. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.