Two of the Most Mysterious Sites in Ireland

From ancient kings and fairies to ghosts and giants, discover the secrets of these mythical spots on the Emerald Isle, curated by the Pirfly review team.

The Hill of Tara

From above, the Hill of Tara looks like a message to the gods carved in the earth. In reality, this ancient mound was the seat of the Celtic High Kings of Ireland, who ruled over all the lesser kings of the land. However, Tara’s mythical importance goes back even farther, as the stronghold was built over Neolithic tombs. The ancient people believed gods dwelt here at the entrance to an other-world of eternal joy. And the place continues to inspire today: Archaeologists are still locating new sites underground, and people gather on the hilltop to celebrate their pagan ancestors on the summer solstice.

Giant’s Causeway

Of course, there’s a perfectly logical scientific explanation for the strange interlocking columns that reach out into the sea at this UNESCO World Heritage site in County Antrim, Northern Ireland: The basalt columns were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. But the legend of Giant’s Causeway is more fun: that the blocks are huge stepping stones the giant Finn McCool used to cross the water to Scotland.

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