TaraWatch

16 Irish heritage sites feature in ‘must-see’ book

The Irish Times – 23 April 2008

STEVEN CARROLL

A GRAVEYARD, a post office and an old-time whiskey distillery are among 16 Irish heritage sites included in a new book titled 1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die. Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Trinity College Dublin are some other Irish attractions in the book, which was produced in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The sites were selected by hundreds of travel journalists from across the globe and the book features many locations that have been designated as Unesco world heritage sites. Sinead Grace of Tourism Ireland said inclusion in the guide was a positive development for tourism on the island. “Any mention is good for tourism in the island of Ireland and a positive mention like this which will be circulated around the world can only be good for our tourism industry,” Ms Grace said. The book, compiled by Englishman Richard Cavendish, is part of a bestselling “1001″ series. It will be released on May 18th. Ms Grace said she was not surprised by any of the Irish inclusions in the list.

Hill of Tara (between Navan and Dunshaughlin, Ireland)

Domain of the gods and kings sacred to Ireland’s early communities

Nowhere in Ireland has richer associations than Temair, the ancient site of Tara. In prehistoric times it was already a major center for ritual, but it assumed even greater importance after the arrival of the Celts. The place featured prominently in early Irish legends and came to be regarded as the seat of the high kings of Ireland. As such, it became a potent symbol and rallying point of Irish unity and patriotism.

Tara is a complex site consisting of at least twenty-four separate monuments. The oldest of these is a passage grave from the Neolithic era (carbon-dated as 3000-2400 B.C.E.), although many of the structures were erected in the Bronze Age or the Iron Age, and not all were tombs. The site also includes a number of Raths (ring forts), earthworks, and ritual enclosures. Most of these were later given colourful names, linking them with ancient gods or kings. These include the Mound of the Hostages – a megalithic passage tomb and probably the oldest monument at the site – the Rath of the Synods. And the Banqueting Hall.

From early times, Tara was regarded as a sacred site because of its links with the high king. The office of high king was usually held by the local ruler and did not signify any great military or territorial power, but it was hugely prestigious. The High King did not reside at Tara, but did participate in its ceremonies. The most important of these was the feis temrach (feast of Tara), which symbolized the ritual union between the king and the goddess of sovereignty. Prospective rulers also had to place a hand on the Lia Fail (Stone of Destiny), a mystic pillar stone reputed to shriek whenever it was touched by the rightful king. In later years, the Christian missionaries sought to exploit the reputation of the site by claiming that St. Patrick’s decisive confrontation with the pagan high king took place on the Hill of Tara.

Before you die: catch these

Blarney Castle, Co Cork

Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly

Derry town walls, Derry

Dublin Castle

General Post Office, Dublin Grave of WB Yeats, Drumcliff, Co Sligo

Guinness Brewery, Dublin

Hill of Tara, Co Meath

Jerpoint Abbey, near Thomastown, Co Kilkenny

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

Newgrange, near Drogheda, Co Meath

Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery, Dublin

Oscar Wilde’s house, Dublin

Prospect Cemetery, Dublin

Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary

Trinity College Dublin