Mound of the Hostages at Tara

Once through the gate, it is astounding to see the incredible views from the Hill of Tara.  According to Michael Slavin's pamphlet, the name comes from Teamhair meaning "a place of great prospect".  It is said that when the weather is clear, you can see features in half the counties of Ireland from the Hill of Tara. 

The Mound of the Hostages is an ancient ritual and burial mouind dating back to about 2500 BC.  There are sacred celtic symbols engraved on the stone entrance.  The name comes from the practice of the Kings of Tara holding important persons from other, lesser kingdoms, to ensure that they remain faithful to the King of Tara.  One King is said to have kept nine hostages - one from each province of Ireland and 4 from England.

There is a lot of history here spanning thousands of years.  There were excavations done in the early 20th Century by a group believing that the Arc of the Covenant would be found at Tara. Excavations done at the Mound in the 1950's produced  over 200 cremated human remains, and the skeleton of a 14 year old boy from the Bronze Age.  A truly interesting place.