Most people who visit Tara spend 20 minutes going to the top and back – and they miss so much. Tara has many hidden corners, and here are three of my favourites.
The Sloping Trenches: these two round earthworks are away from the main track, on the quiet western side. They veer off the edge, seeming to head for the trees below. Legend has it that they collapsed after a terrible calamity, but they were actually built like this. This part of Tara is great to explore, though mind the steep descent.
The Sheela na Gig: look for this ancient female fertility symbol in the churchyard, where it has been placed among the gravestones. It was probably taken from an earlier church building.
St Patrick’s holy well: water is important for rituals, and there are a number of spring around Tara, all of them viewed as ‘sacred’ or ‘holy’. The one known as St Patrick’s is just five-minutes walk along the footpath, past the church. The well has been cleaned recently, and trees planted beside it in memory of local people – evidence that Tara, in use for over 6,000 years, is still in use today.
Tara is special — arguably the most important historical and archaeological site in the country, steeped in story and legend. Yet many visitors are disappointed: the hill looks great from the air, but on the ground it can seem like little more than mounds of earth. And the official visitor centre is only open in summer. With not much to see, you really need a good guide. That’s why, in 2010, Ingenious Ireland made an audio guide, to provide as much information as possible to visitors, in a way that does not intrude on this important place. We worked with historical and archaeological experts, and a grant from the Heritage Council. Our audio guide is available to download from our website, iTunes and more, and will shortly be available as an iPhone app.
- Heritage Ireland: Visitor Centre
- Ingenious Ireland: Guided Tour of the Hill of Tara (includes a free Tara map and guide)
- Wikipedia: Hill of Tara
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- St Patrick’s Well at the Hill of Tara – Photo by Ingenious Ireland
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- St Patrick’s Well at the Hill of Tara – Photo by Ingenious Ireland
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- Sheela-na-gig at the Hill of Tara – Photo by Ingenious Ireland
Disclosure: Ingenious Ireland made the first audio guide for Tara.
Written by Mary Mulvihill
A Dubliner, and an award-winning heritage writer, Mary wants more people to know about Ireland’s hidden history – from the many inventions and discoveries made by Irish scientists and engineers, to the Hill of Tara, which most Irish people have never seen. You’ll find her tours, audio guides and books at IngeniousIreland.ie. Mary’s Tips | Website
- Broome Bridge and Sir Hamilton’s Eureka Moment: Cabra, Co Dublin - February 27, 2013
- Exploring the Hill of Tara – Sacred Well, Sheela-na-gig, and Sloping Trenches: Tara, Co Meath - February 25, 2013
