Legend says Hill of Tara is known has the “seat of the High Kings of Ireland” due to the fact that this was a ceremonial site when crowning kings. Legend also says when a newly crowned king would touch the Lia Fail (Stone of Destiny or Speaking Stone) it would cry out to be heard all across the land of Ireland. The Mound of Hostages, formally known as; Dumha na Giall, is a Neolithic passage tomb that bypasses the Stonehedge by almost 1,000 years. The Mound of Hostages was built around 3,200 BC and holds about 300-500 cremated bodies.
Another legend involving Saint Patrick went that on Easter Morning of the year 433, Saint Patrick trawled to the Hill of Tara to confront the High King Leogaire regarding the ancient religion.
Stone of Destiny Legend/History
Although there are many different myths to how the Stone of Destiny (Lia Fail) appeared at Hill of Tara, one remains most popular. Gaelic mythology says that the Stone of Destiny was brought over by Tuatha De Danann which is Gaelic for People of the Goddness Danu/Tribe of the Gods which consisted of four goddesses who came from four different cities from Northern Ireland. The Stone of Destiny was one of the four treasures of Ireland provided by Tuatha De Danann. The other three treasures include Nuada weilding Fragarach, The Spear of Lugh, Undry, the Dagda’s Cauldron (not located at the Hill of Tara just part of the Four Treasures).
Gaelic mythology describes that the Stone of Destiny was used during the corning ceremony of the new high kind of Ireland from the earliest monarchs up until 500AD. Legend says that when a new king was being crowned that once the new king touched the stone it would let out s shriek so loud that it would be heard all through the island of Ireland.
Mound of Hostages History
Mound of Hostages holds around 300-500 cremated bodies, those of high importance to Ireland, even possibly the remains of former royalty. Located roughly 15 miles from Hill of Tara is another ancient site that is one of the oldest record monuments, both founded in 3200BC, Newgrange. Newgrange and Mound of Hostages serve similar purposes. Both are burial sites with one distinct thing in common. The opening is positioned in a certain way that the sun beams enters and lights up the chamber during Imbolc and Samhain. Imbolc is also called Saint Brigid's Day and is celebrated on February 1st. Imbolc represents the beginning of Spring and is a day of feasting where Saint Brigid is honored in hopes to receive her blessing. Samhain is also a Gaelic celebration which occurs during October 31st and ends November 1st. It is believed that Shamin is the original origin of Halloween.
Saint Patrick at Hill of Tara history
Legend has it that Saint Patrick arrived to Ireland in the year 432CE and proposed Christianity to Ireland. It is said that Saint Patrick light a large bonfire across the way from the Hill of Tara for all of Ireland to see. He used a flame from this fire to light his torch and make his way to the Hill of Tara to preach about religion and Christianity to King Laoghaire.