Hill of Slane
On our pilgrimage through Ireland’s sacred sites, we recently visited two of the most historically significant locations connected to St. Patrick: the Hill of Tara and the Hill of Slane.
In 433 AD, Saint Patrick lit a Paschal (Easter) fire on the Hill of Slane in defiance of the orders of King Laoghaire. The king reserved the right to light fires for a pagan festival on the Hill of Tara. Saint Patrick’s defiance of the king’s authority led to a confrontation between the two men.
It was here that Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, using this simple three-leaved plant to illustrate how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit could be separate yet one. This powerful metaphor became synonymous with both Patrick and Ireland itself.
Today, the hill is crowned with the ruins of a 16th-century Franciscan monastery completed just a few years before King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries across his domain.
Hill of Tara
Just a short distance away stands the Hill of Tara, once the seat of Ireland’s High Kings and the center of pagan authority. From this mound, kings could see across vast stretches of the country they ruled. The Hill of Slane is visible in the daylight, and must have shown brightly that night of Saint Patrick’s fire.
Today, the hill features earthworks, including the Mound of the Hostages (a Neolithic passage tomb) and the Stone of Destiny, where kings were inaugurated. There is also a church on the site, but it has been decommissioned.
Practical Guide: Visiting Tara and Slane
We visited both hills by car in a single morning while traveling from Dublin. They are about 45 minutes from the Dublin airport and about 20 minutes apart from each other.
The Hill of Slane is a short (uphill) walk from the free carpark. A sign warns of thieves in the area, but we did not see anybody else. The Hill of Tara has a pay car park, 2 Euros for our stay. The Hill of Tara also has the requisite gift shop, coffee shop, and visitor center. It was pretty popular with hikers, dog walkers, and tour buses.
Both locations are unpaved, so wear sturdy shoes that can get wet in the moist Ireland days. Other than the car park at Tara, admission is free.
Patrick Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle
A fun way to learn this story is to watch “Patrick, Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle.” We saw this originally on Formed. It is also on YouTube (link below).
St. Patrick, pray for us!