By: Aisling Bronach of House Shadow Drake

There were four major royal sites in Ireland Tara, Cruachan, Dun Ailinne, and Emain Macha. Much of what is known about these sites comes from the Iron Age around the third century BC during the beginnings of the La Te'ne period. These sites were mostly hillforts, and likely used for some sort of religious activities.

Tara is one of the best known of these sites. It was the capitol of the kingdom of Brega, in what is now called Co. Meath. Whomever was chosen as the High King of Ireland had to claim this small piece of land for his own. It was more so a symbol of the power of leadership than anything else.

An enclosure called Rath na Ri'ogh was said to have been built by King Cormac, whose chapel is at the Rock of Cashel. Within are many large mounds of earth which seems to have important significance of one sort or another. One id said to be the grave where the hostages of battle were buried by Cormac. Excavations revealed that this mound was in fact a passage tomb that dated to the Neolithic period, and was later re-used during the Bronze Age. It was here that the Lia Fial, the inaugural stone of the Irish was kept.

Although the excavation reports are still pending, it appears that this site was used both for living and burial purposes. It should be noted that the bodies found here are either inhumations or cremations.

Cruachan is located northwest of Tulsk in Co. Roscommon There are many cairns and stone monoliths which mark the area. So far, forty-nine different monuments of these types have been counted in the area. It is not known as to whether Cruachan referred to the entire area or a specific site within that area. There are several earthen mounds, but no actual enclosure like that of Tara. However, Oweynagat, a subterranean cave, is said to be the entrance to the Celtic underworld of the Sidhe. It is difficult to say much more about this site as very little archeological evidence exists at this time.

The next site of interest is Dun Ailinne in Kildare. It is situated on a huge dome-shaped hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. Bernard Wailkes led the excavations in 1968 and 1975 revealing the chronology of Iron Age events. Several phases were identified, demonstrating the renewed fortification of this fortress. Again, this site seems to have reached its peak usage around the third or forth century BC There is little evidence of long term occupation, and it seems likely that Dun Ailinne was probably a religious or seasonal site. It is suggested that a yearly open-air feast occurred, which would help to explain the layers of charcoal, singed bones, and burnt rocks amid layers of vegetation growth.

The last site is that of Emain Macha, in Navan Fort west of Armagh city. It is located on a hilltop. This site possesses two inhumation burials, one of which had a nailed coffin. Evidence suggests that this was once a farming site. This site was inhabited during both the Bronze and the Iron Age, and exhibits the presence of the Hallstatt C. Wooden huts seem to circle around the ringfort enclosure, and it seems likely that this was once a place where the surrounding people could gather easily. There is a large marked area at the center of the site. It is possible that it might have once been covered, but if not still remained to be a central gathering point. There are also several large cairns which span the area and show signs of burning.

Surprisingly, little is known about the royal sites of Ireland. We are only able to document such things as fairs and festivals which were held at these locations. Although some excavation has occurred, the finished documentation still remains incomplete.