Naven, County Meath, Ireland
The Irish forgive their great men when they are safely buried.
—Irish proverb
Near Newgrange in County Meath lies an emerald-green, grassy hillock named the Hill of Tara. This ancient ritual site of coronation and seat of power for as many as 142 Celtic high kings is also the dwelling place for the gods and entrance to the otherworld. The ancient Celtic earthmovers created structures on Tara such as the Mound of the Hostages and the Stone of Destiny, a megalithic stone that would render a sound when struck by the true high king.
If your spiritual beliefs are enhanced or informed by seeing sacred places of the ancients and their spiritual constructions, visit the Hill of Tara. From Dublin, drive the M3, exit at Junction 7, and follow signs for Tara. Go early to avoid crowds and wear good walking shoes or boots with traction, as wet field grass is slippery.
View the audiovisual presentation at the visitors center first so you’ll understand what you are seeing, then walk around the site and let the four-thousand-year-old landscape work its magic on you. Use your imagination and feel the energy of ancient spirits.
Tara Hill, where archaeologists say human activity dates to the Neolithic period, provides spectacular views of a quarter of Ireland’s coast and mainland.