LiDAR topographical model of the Hill of Tara (Bhreathnach & Newman, 2008, 2)
At the summit of the hill is the Iron Age hilltop enclosure known as Ráith na
Ríogh (the Fort of the Kings).
The most prominent earthworks are the two linked enclosures, a double-
ditched ring fort and a bivallate ring barrow known as Teach Chormaic
(Cormac's House) and the Forradh (Royal Seat).
In the middle of the Forradh is a standing stone, the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny)..
To the north is a small Neolithic passage tomb known as Dumha na nGiall (the
Mound of the Hostages), which was constructed around 3400BC.
Outside the bounds of the Ráith na Rig, is a ringfort known as Ráith na Seanadh
(the Rath of the Synods).
Further north is a long, narrow rectangular feature known as the Banqueting
Hall (Teach Miodhchuarta) – although it is more likely to have been a
ceremonial avenue – and three circular earthworks, two of which are known as
the ‘Sloping Trenches’ and the third Gráinne's Fort (Ráith Gráinne).
To the south of the Royal Enclosure lies a ring-fort known as Ráith Laoghaire
(Laoghaire's Fort).
We all lay on the banks of the Ráith na Ríogh, drifting off for a 45 minute doze, but
soon woken by the ‘buzz’ around us. A cool bottle of water was consumed in moments, all the
time a Druid from Kilkenny attempting to educate us on Druidism. He was something of an
eccentric, spilling tea all down himself as he talked, his twitchy movements were more